🧢 Captain's Log

Sun 28 Nov 2021 🧢 Friendly XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformLWWLW

Sunday 28 November brought Bearsted CC to Linton Park on an afternoon that could have chilled the enthusiasm out of a polar bear – grey skies, a wind that seemed to have a personal vendetta against anyone attempting a cover drive, and a temperature that had half the fielding side wondering why cricket in November had ever seemed like a good idea.

None of that troubled the bat, mind you. We piled on 107 for the loss of just two wickets from a brisk nine overs, with Aaron Hughes leading the charge on 26 not out. I chipped in with 26 of my own alongside him, and Luke Welsman kept the scoreboard ticking nicely with 25 not out. A proper flurry of boundaries to keep the blood moving in that cold.

Defending it, Anthony Karassellos was magnificent, ripping through Bearsted with 3-30, and I managed to lend a hand with 1-9. Poor Lewis Bedwell departed for a golden duck without so much as troubling the scorers, and although Christian Roberts fought hard for his 20, the visitors were bowled out for 64 in just 7.3 overs – the innings collapsing rather like a garden gazebo in that wind.

Special mention, too, for two wonderful milestones: Benjamin Austin brought up 3,000 career runs for the club, and Luke Welsman reached 4,000 – proper club stalwarts, both, and long may they keep piling them on.

We ran out winners by 43 runs. Cold hands, warm hearts, and a very good day for the club.

Sun 10 Oct 2021 🧢 1st XIv The Mote CC · AwayformLWWWL

Sunday 10 October 2021 saw us make the trip to The Mote CC, under skies that couldn't quite decide whether they were showering us with rain or contempt. Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in choosing to bat — a decision I stood by right up until the moment it started raining on my parade, metaphorically and otherwise.

Nine overs brought us 93/5, which on a good day might have felt like a platform and on this one felt like a small mercy. I top-scored with 26 not out, doing my bit before handing the baton to Luke Welsman, who chipped in nicely with 23 — the man remains in irritatingly good form, sitting third in the season's run charts with 226. Spare a thought, though, for poor Anthony Karassellos, who contributed nothing but a golden duck to proceedings; these things happen to the best of us, usually when we can least afford it.

With the ball, things started well enough — I picked up 1-17, the pick of our bowlers, for what little that's worth in the final reckoning. But the wheels well and truly came off in the fifth over, two wickets falling in the same over doing nothing to stem a stand of 53 for the first wicket that did for us. The Mote raced to 97/2 in just 7.1 overs, Matthew White and Theeshan Satkunaseelan both unbeaten on 25, Matt Sadler adding 21 for good measure.

Not our day, then — beaten by four wickets. Heads up, chins up, and back to the nets.

Sat 25 Sep 2021 🧢 Friendly XIv SC Selling CC · AwayformWLWWL

Skipper's Log, Saturday 25 September 2021 — away at Selling CC on a warm, overcast afternoon perfect for putting one's feet up, though as it turned out we'd need every over.

I called correctly at the toss, which around these parts counts as the highlight of most seasons, and had no hesitation whatsoever in choosing to bat. Craig Sands then went and reminded everyone why: 147, three figures and no less, an innings that also carried him past Paul Gibson into 7th on the club's all-time run-scorers list and over the 16,000-run mark for his career — a fine afternoon's work by anyone's reckoning. Richard Skye (71 not out) and Anthony Karassellos (51) played handsomely in support, while poor Nolan Wilde contributed a golden duck, the sort of nothing that makes for excellent tea-time ribbing. We closed on 304/5 from our 40, a total that felt, at the time, faintly untouchable.

Selling had other ideas, replying with 301/8 from their 40 — Brad Wretham (78) doing most of the damage, well supported by Tom Hinkes (46) and Nick Myers (36 not out) — and for a good while it looked touch and go. Anthony Karassellos kept his head to finish with 2-29, backed up by Aaron Hughes (2-31) and John Karassellos (2-49), and it was he who also brought up his 100th career wicket for the club along the way. He now leads our 2021 Friendly XI wicket charts with six, as Craig does the run charts with 147.

A tense finish, but a win is a win, and by 3 runs it was a famous one. Onwards.

Sun 19 Sep 2021 🧢 Friendly XIv Kent Royals (Hollingbourne) CC · HomeformLWLWW

Kent Royals (Hollingbourne) rolled up on a warm, drizzly Sunday, and I did what any self-respecting skipper does when he wins the toss and there's damp in the air — batted first and told myself it was tactics rather than tradition. 131 all out from 39.3 overs was a fair honest total rather than a match-winning one, built around a tidy 25 from Nolan Wilde and 22 from Anthony Karassellos, with everyone else chipping in the way village sides do. Special mention, as ever, for the Duck Club: Michaela Karassellos took the long walk back for nought, and the ledger duly noted it.

In the field we huffed and puffed but never quite got there. The Royals cruised to 134/2 in 25.2 overs, Habahd Ali unbeaten on a classy 53 and Moshi Chowdhury not far behind on 47, the pair simply batting us out of it. Tim Thirkell led the attack manfully with 1-22, Alex Wade chipping in with 1-25, but two wickets was never going to be enough against that kind of stroke-play.

Small mercies: Thirkell's solitary scalp nudged him past Martin Harris into 14th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list, and in the 2021 Friendly XI charts Karassellos sits 4th with 63 runs while Wade leads the bowling with 4 wickets — silver linings on a cloudy afternoon.

Beaten by eight wickets, then. Not our day, lads — back to the nets, and back to the tea urn for consolation.

Sat 18 Sep 2021 🧢 Friendly XIv Linden Park CC · HomeformWLWLW

Off the toss went against us, and Linden Park made themselves comfortable at the crease on a warm, grey afternoon. Two hundred and fifteen for six from their forty overs was a proper score, built around Jayaprakash Seluthiyan's well-made 68 and Tom Corner's equally handsome 57, with Richard Prescott chipping in a brisk 33. It could have been worse — Anthony Karassellos bowled beautifully for his 2-30, Nick Pennefather was tidy as ever with 1-8, and I managed to prise one out myself, 1-26 for a bit of late reward.

Two hundred and sixteen needed, then, and the sort of total that usually means a nervy tea interval and an even nervier run chase. Not today. Aaron Hughes and Martin Rivers simply took the game away from Linden Park with a second-wicket stand of 164 that had me doing very little as captain beyond admiring the view from the boundary. Hughes fell agonisingly short of a century with a superb 89, while Rivers went one better in the arithmetic if not the fall of wicket, finishing unbeaten on 89 himself. Between them they made the chase look like a Sunday stroll rather than a run rate approaching six an over.

Eight wickets, two points, and barely a bead of sweat from the home dressing room by the close — a proper team performance with the ball shared around and the bat doing the rest. Karassellos now tops our Friendly XI wicket charts and Hughes sits second in the run charts, which tells its own story. A thoroughly earned victory, and one I'll happily take the credit for from the captain's chair, even if I did precious little to deserve it.

Sat 11 Sep 2021 🧢 Friendly XIv Offham CC · AwayformDWLWL

Skipper's log: Saturday 11 September, and the road took us out to Offham on a warm, damp sort of afternoon — the kind where you can't decide whether to bowl in a jumper or bat in sunglasses. I won the toss and had no hesitation in electing to bat, and for once the skipper's hunch paid off in full.

We lost our opener cheaply, 6 for 1, and for a nervous over or two the gazette headline was writing itself the wrong way. Enter Junaid Mufti, who proceeded to play the innings of the season — 123, three figures and no argument about who the star of the show was. I chipped in with 40 alongside him, Anthony Karassellos added a tidy 27, and a crucial fourth-wicket stand of 110 dragged us to a formidable 279 for 6 from our 40 overs, with the extras column doing its bit with 26.

Defending that lot, Offham gave it a proper go — Alex Dimmick's fifty (53), Daniel Blakeburn's unbeaten fifty (52no) and Harry Legg's 43 kept them in it, with a sixth-wicket stand of 57 the closest they came to derailing us. But three ducks and some sharp bowling — Alex Wade the pick with 2 for 20, Karassellos and Darrell Houghton-Judge both chipping in with two apiece — saw them all out for 241 from 38.4 overs.

Home by 38 runs, then, and a thoroughly good day for the club.

Wed 08 Sep 2021 🧢 Midweek XIv The Mote CC · AwayformDLWWW

Wednesday's trip to The Mote CC came with a golden ticket of a day — scorching sun, a lick of cloud cover, and a coin toss that, as ever, went against us. They chose to bat, and I confess my heart sank a touch as Daniel Mason set about compiling a hugely accomplished 96, with Theeshan Satkunaseelan (75 not out) and Nazir Mohammed (26 not out) offering handsome support. That early wicket at 0-1 promised much and delivered rather less once the fourth-wicket pair put on 138 unanswered. Ajith Peethambaran did at least depart for a diplomatic duck at our hands. Sam Boyns was the pick of a willing attack, 2-32 with two tidy maidens thrown in, while Nolan Wilde and Tobey Castle chipped in a wicket apiece. Their 223/4 always felt a stretch too far.

We replied with genuine intent. Tobey Castle, in the form of his life, carried us with a fine 73, and Aaron Hughes matched him stroke for stroke with a classy 65 — the pair adding 102 for the second wicket and giving us real hope. I chipped in with my own small contribution along the way, for what it was worth. Sadly Benjamin Austin and Louis Turney both fell for ducks, and 205/8 in the end left us 18 runs shy.

A gallant effort, then, undone by one substantial partnership too many from the home side. Tobey Castle continues to top our run charts and Nolan Wilde our wicket-takers — proof, if nothing else, that the engine room is purring even when the scoreboard isn't. We'll dust ourselves off and go again next week.

Sun 05 Sep 2021 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Wingham CC · HomeformWLWLW

On a warm, overcast Sunday afternoon we welcomed Wingham CC to Linton Park, and by the close I was rather glad of the cloud cover — it hid my blushes at how thoroughly we were upstaged with the bat by our own openers. Archie Fairfax-Ross set about the bowling with real intent for a magnificent 137, while Tobey Castle matched him stroke for stroke with an unbeaten 133, and Abishek Pushpavinothan chipped in an unbeaten 26 as we racked up 313/2 from our forty overs. Only poor Aaron Hughes had a quiet afternoon, undone for a duck — one for the Duck Club ledger, and no doubt a pint or two owed at the bar.

Defending that total should have been the easy part, and so it largely proved. Daniel Pilbeam threatened to make a real match of it with a fine 60, well supported by Peter Moore's 39 and Michael Pilbeam's 23, but our attack kept chipping away — Lucas Simms and Korey Causer both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Ian Hollingworth was the pick of the bowlers, a superb 3-35 including three tidy maidens, with Pushpavinothan (2-9) and Sam Boyns (1-3) squeezing the innings shut at 212/9.

Elsewhere, Tobey Castle continues to top the season's run charts with 399, and Thomas Beeney sits second among the wicket-takers with nine. All told, a thoroughly good day at the office — we got over the line comfortably, and the tea urn has rarely tasted sweeter.

Sat 04 Sep 2021 🧢 2nd XIv EC Eynsford CC · AwayformWTWWW

Will Thew's day out with bat and ball for Linton Park CC, 04 September 2021, against Eynsford CC.

We set off for Eynsford on a mild, overcast afternoon of the sort that suits English cricket down to the ground, and promptly lost the toss — Eynsford, sensing an easy 225 in the bank, opted to bat. To be fair to them, they were not wrong. Pete Day played the innings of the day, an assured 88, while Dan Wise (35) and Ian Thomas (35 not out) kept the scoreboard ticking along nicely for them. Small mercies: Ben Wise departed for a golden duck at our hands, and James West bowled beautifully for 3-44 to keep us in the hunt, ably backed up by Junaid Mufti (1-39) and the ever-parsimonious Anthony Karassellos, who took 1-45 with two maidens thrown in for good measure. 225/6 from their 40 overs felt like a proper afternoon's work to chase.

Chase it we did. I found some form at just the right moment, batting through for 73 not out, and I won't pretend that didn't feel rather satisfying — particularly as it also brought up 5,000 career runs for the club, which is the sort of milestone one tries to look nonchalant about and fails entirely. Junaid Mufti backed it up with a fine 59 not out, and Laurie Probert chipped in with 41, and between us we got the job done with three overs to spare, 228/5.

Five wickets, two points, and a thoroughly satisfying drive home. Eynsford will remember Pete Day's 88; we'll remember the Sunday roast tasted a little better for it.

Sat 04 Sep 2021 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformWLWWW

Losing the toss on a pleasant, cloudy afternoon is rarely cause for celebration, and so it proved as Bearsted made themselves at home in the middle for a full forty overs. Their openers set about us with unseemly enthusiasm, putting on 63 before we finally prised one out, and just as we thought we'd got a foothold, the third-wicket pair added a further 101 to bury us. Ben Johnston's well-made 67 was the innings' backbone, with Mark Sandhu (51) and Noel Johnston (38) offering sturdy support, and 233/6 felt like rather a lot to chase. Tobey Castle did the damage with the ball, 2-47, backed up nicely by Joshua Knowler (1-25) and Richard Knowler (1-44).

With the bat, we never quite got out of first gear, stumbling to 4-1 before Archie Fairfax-Ross played a fine, lone hand of 53 to give the innings some shape, helped along by Toby Hughes (27) and Joshua Knowler (24). The rest of the order rather fancied an early bath — Tobey Castle, Aaron Hughes and Mardey Castle all walked back for ducks — and we folded for 176 in 37.5 overs, 57 runs shy of the target.

A word of cheer amid the gloom: Tobey Castle brought up his 200th appearance in Linton colours, a landmark worth more than any scoreline. I'm proud to say I still lead the 1st XI's run charts this season with 547, and Joshua Knowler tops the bowling with 23 wickets — small consolations on an afternoon that wasn't ours. Not our day, then. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Mon 30 Aug 2021 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Borstal CC · AwayformWWLWL

From the captain's chair — Monday 30 August 2021. Off we trundled to Borstal, and for once the coin actually landed the right way up for me. No hesitation in bowling first, and how the lads made me look wise: Borstal were shot out for 156 in 37.1 overs, with David Round (37) and Alex Porter (32) the chief resistance and Sam Pepper chipping in 25, while poor Luke Butcher trudged off for a golden duck. Thomas Beeney was magnificent, ripping through with 4-25, backed up nicely by Sam Boyns (2-22) and Thomas Roxburgh (1-27). I'll admit the 17th over turned the whole afternoon our way, two wickets in a flurry that took the stuffing out of them — though I'll gloss quickly over my own contribution behind the stumps, where nine byes went through like I'd left the back gate open.

Chasing 157, William Roxburgh played the innings of a man with somewhere important to be, 90 not out and, rather wonderfully, bringing up 1,000 career runs for the club along the way — a landmark worth toasting twice. Luke Welsman supported handsomely with 36, the pair sharing a stand of 68 for the third wicket that put the result beyond doubt, and we cantered home on 160/3 with seven wickets and overs to spare.

A verdict, then: sloppy gloves aside, this was as complete a performance as we've managed all season, crowned by a personal milestone from young Roxburgh that will be the toast of the clubhouse long after the scorebook is filed away.

Sun 29 Aug 2021 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv BC Battle CC · AwayformWLWLW

The road to Battle CC greeted us with the kind of pleasant drizzle that only English cricket could call ideal batting weather, and having lost the toss, we found ourselves in the field first — not entirely how I'd have scripted it, but such is the lottery of the coin.

Put in, we scrapped our way to a defendable 236/7 from 40 overs. Nolan Wilde was in imperious form for his 75, well supported by Sam Boyns's 46, while I chipped in with 37 not out — happily undefeated, if not entirely stylish about it. The openers gave us the platform we needed, 109 for the first wicket before the breakthrough came, and a defiant last-wicket stand added a further 41 to give the total real respectability. Spare a thought, though, for poor Alistair Mills, whose golden duck will live longer in the memory than most of our fifties.

Defending 236, Battle threatened to make a match of it, with Laurence Flint's 67 and useful contributions from Jenny Jackson and Phil Bourn keeping their sixth-wicket pair busy to the tune of 65. But Tim Thirkell was magnificent with 3-42, ably backed by Jon Harris and Alex Wade, and Mardey Castle's two maidens choked the runs when it mattered. Sam Boyns had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, but no matter — we held our nerve.

Two points, thoroughly earned, by 29 runs — and a personal landmark of my 200th appearance in Linton colours to boot. Not a bad Sunday's work at all.

Sat 28 Aug 2021 🧢 2nd XIv Penshurst Park CC · HomeformWWTWW

Right, here we go — Saturday 28 August 2021, damp but pleasant, Penshurst Park CC the visitors and me winning the toss and sticking us in the field. Bold, some might say, given the weather. I'd call it inspired.

We were made to work for it. Daniel Imison played the innings of the day, a fluent 61, well supported by David Smith's 40 and an unbeaten 24 from Simon Leegood, and by the time they declared themselves finished at 155/4 off their forty overs it looked a competitive total on a slow outfield. Credit to the bowlers for keeping it that tight rather than looser — Tim Thirkell led the attack beautifully with 2-31, Junaid Mufti and Anthony Karassellos chipped in with a wicket apiece, and Richard Knowler bowled two maidens that the Penshurst batsmen will still be muttering about. Adnan Qureshi, for his part, departed without troubling the scorers — sometimes cricket is a cruel game.

Chasing 156, we made hard work of easy work, as is the club way, but got there with something to spare, 156/4 in 34.1 overs. Anthony Karassellos anchored the innings with an unbeaten 39, Martin Rivers made a fine 38, and Pieto Swart finished not out on 34 to see us home. I contributed my own small share along the way, and can report with some satisfaction that I still sit third in the 2nd XI run charts this season, while Tim Thirkell continues to run away with the wickets tally.

A six-wicket win, then, earned rather than gifted, and a thoroughly good day for the club.

Sat 28 Aug 2021 🧢 1st XIv Meopham CC · AwayformWWLWW

Right then, the season is threatening to run away with itself, and Meopham did their level best to make it a scrap. A shower-flecked Saturday, a coin that fell my way, and a call to bowl first that I was quietly rather pleased with myself about.

That pleasure took a battering as Kevin Smith set about us for 94, ably assisted by Glyn Fortt (33) and Mark Lewis-Ranwell (21), with their sixth-wicket pair adding a stubborn 70 that had me checking my watch and my patience in equal measure. Small mercies arrived in the shape of Brad Millbank's duck, and rather larger ones from Joshua Knowler, whose 3-47 did most of the heavy lifting, well backed by Thomas Roxburgh (2-33), Archie Fairfax-Ross (1-25), and Alex Keeler's two miserly maidens. 204/8 from their 40 overs felt, at the time, like a proper mountain.

Chasing it, we wobbled at 8 for the loss of an early wicket — the sort of start that has a captain reaching for the antacids — before Archie Fairfax-Ross played the innings of the day, an emphatic 83, and found a willing ally in Tobey Castle (35) for a match-turning 96-run third-wicket stand. William Roxburgh's duck was the one blemish on an otherwise merry card, 29 extras did their bit, and I contributed a workmanlike 17 to see us home.

205/6 in 34.3 overs: a fine win by four wickets, and frankly, given how that sixth-wicket stand had us rattled, one to bank with quiet satisfaction. Onwards indeed.

Thu 26 Aug 2021 🧢 Midweek XIv BB Birmingham Bulls · HomeformWDLWW

We had first use of the ball at home to Birmingham Bulls on Thursday, and it paid off nicely as Will Thew got among the wickets in some style. The Bulls slipped to 7 for 1 early doors, and though a fourth-wicket stand added a stubborn 53, we kept chipping away at the other end. Akshay top-scored with an unbeaten 48, well supported by Shak's 27, but Nabeel and Samir both went back without troubling the scorers as Thew ran riot with 4-27. I managed a wicket for 8 myself, with Luke Welsman claiming the same figures, and the Bulls were held to 119 for 7 from their twenty overs.

Chasing 120, we made rather less fuss of it. Tobey Castle strode to an unbeaten 52, ably assisted by Aaron Hughes's unbeaten 21, and we cruised home on 120 for 4 with overs in hand. Toby Joseph's innings began and ended with a duck, but nobody much minded on a day like this.

Off the field there was plenty to raise a glass to: Mark Christmas brought up 9,000 career runs for the club, and Luke Welsman reached 100 career wickets, both thoroughly deserved milestones from thoroughly deserved club stalwarts. Castle continues his fine season, now second in the Midweek XI run charts with 190, while Thew sits fourth among the wicket-takers with 5.

A six-wicket win, two points banked, and a thoroughly satisfying evening's work all round.

Sun 22 Aug 2021 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv WC Woodcoombe CC · AwayformLWLWL

A warm, showery Sunday found us away at Woodcoombe, and I confess I like nothing better than sending the opposition in on a pitch that promises a bit of movement. It proved a wise call, or possibly a lucky one — the distinction was never entirely clear to me even as it was happening. Shehriyar Khan was magnificent, scything through their order for 4-5, and I managed to chip in with 2-8 myself, more by accident than design. Ian Hollingworth weighed in with 2-11, and between us we reduced Woodcoombe to 63 all out in 28.4 overs, with Ben Le-Haye, Joe Warner and Colin Taylor all back in the pavilion for ducks. It was the sort of collapse that makes a captain look considerably cleverer than he actually is.

Chasing 64 is rarely a formality in this game, however modest the target looks on paper, and so it proved once again — a few showers and a couple of early wickets kept things interesting enough to stop anyone getting complacent. Henry Bourdillon top-scored with a tidy 21, continuing his excellent season (he now sits second in the 2nd XI run charts with 254), and we eventually got over the line at 64/3 in 14.4 overs.

All told, a thoroughly good day for the club — bowled well, batted sensibly, and were home in time for tea. One can't ask for much more than that.

Sun 22 Aug 2021 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv SC Sheldwich CC · HomeformLWWLW

I chipped in with 18 as we took first use of the ball on a warm, drizzly afternoon at home to Sheldwich CC, and I'll confess the drizzle did us fewer favours than the visitors. Jamie Vant-Harrison played the innings of the day, a magnificent unbeaten 113, with Culum Annand a most capable lieutenant on 58 not out and Alex Roe chipping in with 26 as their total climbed to a stiff 226/5 from the full forty. To our credit we didn't let it become a procession — Joshua Knowler led from the front with 2-52 and two tidy maidens, well supported by Thomas Roxburgh (1-29) and Mardey Castle (1-34), and we had the satisfaction of sending both James Creed and Josef Raham back for nought.

Chasing 227, we made a fair fist of it without ever quite threatening to get there. William Roxburgh top-scored handsomely with 74, Thomas Roxburgh backed him up with 41 and Sam Boyns added a brisk 33, but wickets fell at the wrong intervals and poor Luke Welsman departed for a golden duck. My own 18 did little to move the mountain, and we closed on 214/7 from our forty overs — a dozen runs shy of victory, for all our effort.

So it's beaten this time, but not disgraced — a proper contest against a side with a century-maker in their ranks, and plenty for the lads to be proud of even in defeat. We go again.

Sat 21 Aug 2021 🧢 2nd XIv PC Pembury CC · HomeformWWWTW

Saturday last saw us welcome Pembury CC in what can only be described as classic English summer weather – warm, drizzly, and never quite committing to being either. Winning the toss, I opted to bowl first, and for once the decision-making process (eeny, meeny, gut feeling) paid off handsomely.

Pembury were made to work hard for every run, limping to 103/6 from their 40 overs. Neil Mobbs held things together for them with a defiant 40, but he found precious little support at the other end, with ducks for Andrew Dawes, Mayank Chandla and Riaan Kruger as our attack got amongst them. Tim Thirkell was the chief architect of the collapse, snaring 2-13 and bowling with the sort of miserly control that suggests he simply doesn't enjoy watching batsmen score runs – five maidens tells its own story. Anthony Karassellos (1-5) and Fred Taylor (1-15) chipped in nicely, while poor John Karassellos had one of those afternoons behind the stumps, 16 byes escaping his gloves in the drizzle.

Chasing 104, we got there without excessive fuss, reaching 107/6 in 27 overs. Martin Rivers led the way with a fine 35, and I was happy to lend a hand with 21 of my own down the order. Elsewhere in the season's wider story, Laurie Probert continues to sit proudly second in the 2nd XI run charts, while Tim Thirkell now leads the wicket-takers with 25 – and after Saturday's spell, nobody's arguing.

A four-wicket win, two points banked, and a thoroughly deserved one at that.

Sat 21 Aug 2021 🧢 1st XIv Cudham Wyse CC · AwayformWWWLW

I captained us out to Cudham Wyse on a pleasant, showery Saturday afternoon and, having lost the toss, was invited to bat — which, as it turned out, suited us rather nicely.

We got off to the sort of start that has become uncomfortably familiar, five wickets down for the loss of one, and for a few overs I did wonder whether we'd left our batting on the team bus. William Roxburgh, however, had other ideas, and set about repairing the innings with real authority, eventually farming a superb unbeaten century. I was glad to play my part alongside him, adding 51 to a 110-run stand for the fourth wicket that turned the afternoon around completely, with Aaron Hughes chipping in 28 and the extras column doing its bit with 27 more. From 5-1 to 254/6 off our forty overs was some recovery, and I'll happily take that.

With the ball, Thomas Roxburgh set the tone with 3-12, well backed up by Archie Fairfax-Ross, whose 3-21 included two tidy maidens, and Mardey Castle's 2-25. Cudham Wyse never got going and were bowled out for 134. We were generous in the field, 19 wides and 4 no-balls we could have done without, but no matter. A word too for Joshua Knowler, who brought up 400 career wickets — a fine achievement to mark on an afternoon like this.

A 120-run win, then, and a thoroughly good day for the club — even if my fielders insist on trying to bowl the opposition byes as well as out.

Wed 18 Aug 2021 🧢 Midweek XIv Tunbridge Wells Wednesday CC · HomeformWWDLW

Skipper's Log — Wednesday 18 August 2021, and a rare treat: we won the toss and elected to... no, hang on, we lost the toss and were sent out to field, which as any student of the English summer will tell you is the cricketing equivalent of being told to do the washing-up before you've even had your tea.

Batting first, Tunbridge Wells Wednesday CC set us to work, and work we did. Aaron Hughes played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 59 that anchored things beautifully, with Benjamin Austin (39) and Anthony Karassellos (37) chipping in handsomely. I contributed a little myself with the bat, though the real story was John Karassellos's golden duck — the walk of shame, complete with the traditional 🦆, and I suspect he'll be buying the teas for a while yet. We closed on a hearty 207/6 from 31.4 overs, the sort of total that lets a captain sleep soundly at tea.

And sleep soundly we did, because with the ball we were positively merciless. Aaron Hughes, not content with his heroics earlier, top-scored again for the opposition with 43, but nobody else troubled the scorers much — I- Wright and P Howard both departed without registering a run. Tim Thirkell was superb, 2-11, backed up nicely by Mardey Castle (2-17) and John Karassellos (2-20, presumably keen to make amends), while Alex Keeler bowled a spell of real discipline — six maidens, not a run given away lightly. The Wells were bowled out for 89.

Verdict: a thoroughly professional stroll, won by 118 runs — two points banked and a rare afternoon where everything, mercifully, went to plan.

Sun 15 Aug 2021 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv HC Hythe CC · AwayformDLWWL

The lads and I set off for Hythe on Sunday, and the coin gods, as ever, ignored our pleas — Hythe won the toss and had us out in the field before the tea urn had even boiled. They batted with a certain patience about them, closing on 139 for 2 from their forty overs, Timothy Pichowski compiling a lovely unbeaten 81 while Rahim Ali played the perfect foil with 41 not out. Matthew Ford, mercifully, was the only wicket to fall, sent back without so much as a squeak off the bat. Alex Keeler was the chief tormentor with 1 for 13 and three miserly maidens, Ian Hollingworth chipping in with 1 for 41 for good measure.

Chasing 140, we made a proper meal of it before getting there — 142 for 8 in 37.5 overs, with hearts in mouths more than once. Alex Keeler, having already done his bit with the ball, then shouldered the innings with 37 not out, well supported by William Roxburgh's 31 and Luke Welsman's 23. Spare a thought for poor Abishek Pushpavinothan, who took the long walk back for a duck — the ledger shows no mercy.

Keeler, for the record, now tops the Sunday wicket charts with 9, and Welsman sits second in the run charts on 201 — men in form when it matters. Two hard-fought points and a two-wicket win: scruffy, nervy, but thoroughly deserved.

Sun 15 Aug 2021 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Bredgar CC · HomeformLLWLW

Sunday 15th August dawned warm and a touch damp, and with Bredgar CC in town I won the toss and had no hesitation in taking first knock — the right call, though I say so myself. The lads set about their work nicely, Henry Bourdillon leading the charge with a handsome 68, and Sam Boyns proving the perfect foil with an unbeaten 51. Mark Christmas chipped in with a useful 32, and a sturdy 59-run stand for the fourth wicket gave our innings the spine it needed. We closed on a healthy 205 for 5 from our 40 overs — a total I fancied might just be enough.

It wasn't to be. Lewis White and Tim Aylett simply refused to be parted, sharing a monumental 152 for the first wicket, White making 82 and Aylett 81, both playing shots we could only applaud through gritted teeth. Chris Salter's 21 put the finishing touches on a chase that never really looked in doubt. Sam Boyns did what he could with the ball, snaring 2 for 31, but 206 for 3 arrived with overs to spare. Eleven byes down the sheet made for uncomfortable reading too — a trying afternoon behind the stumps for John Karassellos.

Beaten by six wickets, then, and fair play to Bredgar. Small consolation that Henry Bourdillon's runs keep him second in the Sunday 2nd XI charts — but we'll dust ourselves down and come back stronger next week.

Sat 14 Aug 2021 🧢 2nd XIv Bearsted CC · AwayformLWWWT

Saturday 14 August 2021 saw us make the trip to Bearsted, and won the toss on a warm, cloudy afternoon I had no hesitation in sticking the opposition in — early season swagger, or possibly just a hunch that paid off rather nicely.

Bearsted made a promising start, racing to 53 without loss, but from there it all rather came apart at the seams, subsiding to 62-4 as the pressure told. Christopher Filmer's 37 was the best of their batting, with Dave Latter (25) and Tim Lush (22) offering support, but they were bowled out for 137 in 39.1 overs. Anthony Karassellos was outstanding with the ball, taking 3-23, and got fine company from James West (3-24) and Fred Taylor (3-28), while Tim Thirkell strangled the runs with a couple of maidens thrown in for good measure.

Chasing 138, we made rather harder work of it than the bowling figures suggested we might, slumping to 7-1 before Thomas Beeney's 28 steadied things, well supported by Junaid Mufti (26 not out) and Anthony Karassellos (25 not out) — the same man doing us a good turn twice in an afternoon. Poor Darrell Houghton-Judge will not thank me for mentioning his golden duck, but a stubborn last-wicket stand of 45 saw us home in some comfort in the end, for the loss of John Karassellos's composure behind the stumps, if not his gloves, with 9 byes leaking through. I chipped in with the bat too, glad to add my own small contribution to the cause.

A fine win by four wickets, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work all round. Onwards to the next one.

Sat 14 Aug 2021 🧢 1st XIv SC Speldhurst CC · HomeformLWWWL

Not to be forgotten, indeed, this was a cracker. I won the toss on a warm, cloudy afternoon at Linton Park and, fancying runs on the board, had no hesitation in putting us in. It proved the right call: 211 all out from our forty overs, built on a fine platform from Thomas Roxburgh (36) and William Roxburgh (34), with Mardey Castle chipping in a handy 31 and the extras column doing its bit too with 34. Poor Richard Knowler trudged off for a golden duck with the bat — the sort of walk that gets you a pint bought for you by way of consolation, though as we'll see he more than made amends.

Speldhurst's reply never got out of second gear. James Hughes battled hard for an unbeaten 53, but around him wickets tumbled — James Waters, Ed Wesson and Andy Hearnden all back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Richard Knowler, evidently keen to erase the memory of his duck, ripped through with 3-31, and in doing so climbed past Dave Todd into 24th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list — no mean feat. Mardey Castle backed him up with 2-29, I chipped in with 1-1, and Alex Keeler bowled two tidy maidens to squeeze the life out of things. Speldhurst were bowled out for 89 in 27.4 overs.

A thumping 122-run win, then, and two points thoroughly banked. With the bat this season I now sit atop the run charts on 526, though it's Joshua Knowler's 18 wickets that tell the real story of our summer. All told: a proper team performance, and precisely the sort of afternoon that makes the teas taste sweeter.

Fri 13 Aug 2021 🧢 Midweek XIv The Dragons CC · HomeformWWWDL

Right then, here it is.

There's a special kind of English optimism required to look at a damp Friday afternoon in mid-August and think "yes, ideal bowling conditions," but that's exactly what went through my mind at the toss, and having called correctly I didn't need asking twice — we were fielding. The Dragons made a decent enough fist of things, ambling to 141/7 off their 35, propped up by a watchful Charlie Farrant (29), Joe Peck (28) and Josh Mihill (22), with a stubborn 57-run sixth-wicket stand threatening to take the game away from us. Threatening being the operative word — Thomas Roxburgh had other ideas, steaming in for a superb 3-26, with Sam Boyns (2-19) and Alex Keeler (1-9, and two miserly maidens to boot) squeezing the life out of the rest. Simon Arnold, meanwhile, will not want reminding of his golden duck.

Chasing 142, we made it look thoroughly unsporting. William Roxburgh anchored things beautifully for an unbeaten 49, Tobey Castle finished the job in style with 44 not out, and I chipped in with 46 myself somewhere in the middle of all that carnage — 144/1 in just 26.1 overs told its own story. Benjamin Austin continues to plunder runs for fun and now leads the Midweek XI charts for the season, with Sam Boyns lurking third among the wicket-takers.

A nine-wicket win, then, achieved with time to spare and barely a bead of sweat troubled. Onwards indeed.

Sun 08 Aug 2021 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv FC Frindsbury CC · HomeformLLLWL

Lost the toss on a drizzly, blustery Sunday, which meant Frindsbury sent us in — hardly the welcome I'd hoped for, but the lads set about it regardless. Henry Bourdillon played the innings of the day, a well-made fifty for 56, with Benjamin Austin a fine ally at 45. Toby Joseph and Tim Thirkell both fell for golden ducks, proof that even our best men aren't immune to a working-over, but a generous 30 extras from Frindsbury's bowlers helped nudge us to 174 all out in 39.5 overs — a total I'd have taken with both hands at the toss.

Defending it in the drizzle is never a comfortable business, but the bowlers made it look almost routine. Anthony Karassellos was the pick with 3-45, while Nolan Wilde bowled with real miserliness — 2-10 including six maidens, the sort of spell that strangles an innings quietly rather than blowing it away. Jordan Austin chipped in with 1-21. Bailey Driver's 40 and Jacob Knight's 29 threatened to make a match of it, but George Elswood, Tom Pike and Harry Chalklin all departed without troubling the scorers, and Frindsbury closed on 150-8.

A win by 24 runs, then, and a thoroughly deserved one. Benjamin Austin continues to top our Sunday 2nd XI run charts for the season with 286, and Tim Thirkell sits second in the wickets column with 9 — form that bodes well. All in all, a proper club cricket afternoon: damp, blustery, and thoroughly satisfying. Onwards.

Sun 08 Aug 2021 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Staplehurst CC · AwayformLDLWW

Sunday took us down to Staplehurst, and if there's one thing this fixture list enjoys, it's reminding me that I'm no good at calling a coin. Down it went again, and Staplehurst, sporting sorts that they are, chose to bat first and leave us standing about in the field wondering where our luck had got to. They ground their way to 172/8 from the full forty, built largely around Sam McConnel's fine 85 and useful support from Ryan Chandler's 33. Small mercies arrived in the shape of Connor Knapp, back to the hutch without troubling the scorers, while Mardey Castle did the real damage with a superb 4-45. Joshua Knowler chipped in with 2-32, tight as you like with two maidens to his name, and Alex Keeler weighed in with 2-33 of his own.

Chasing 172 in front of a home crowd is never comfortable, and so it proved. Will Thew held things together with a determined 42, with Tobey Castle (26) and Aaron Hughes (25) lending a hand, but we fell agonisingly short on 167/9, beaten by just five runs.

A note of pride amid the disappointment: Joshua Knowler's two wickets edged him past Richard Knowler and into 23rd on the club's all-time wicket-takers list. Elsewhere, Tobey Castle continues to lead our Sunday run charts with 213, and Alex Keeler tops the wickets with 8.

A narrow, honest defeat — the kind that stings on the coach home but leaves nothing to be ashamed of. We'll be better for it next week.

Thu 05 Aug 2021 🧢 Developmentv Beckenham CC · Homeform—

Beckenham away and drizzle in the air — Thursday's just the sort of afternoon that makes club cricket what it is. Batting first, we were nicely set up by Harrison Fermor, whose fifty-two led the way in real style, with Archie Fairfax-Ross chipping in a handy thirty-eight alongside him. We were helped along, too, by a generous thirty-seven extras from our visitors — I shan't complain where the runs come from. Less happily, poor Anthony Karassellos suffered the walk of shame with a golden duck, though he'd more than make amends later with the ball. All told, 200 all out in 29.3 overs felt a defendable total on a sluggish afternoon.

Beckenham had other ideas. Charlie Purwar played the standout innings of the day with sixty-eight, well supported by Gethin Roberts's well-made fifty-eight and a useful twenty-four from Archie Holman. We did claim wickets along the way — Pieto Swart the pick with 1-16, and I was pleased to chip in myself with 1-21, Anthony Karassellos also among the wickets with 1-27 to atone handsomely for his morning's golden duck. But 201 for 5 in 38.4 overs got them home by four wickets, and there was little more we could do about it.

So it's an early-season reminder that we're a work in progress — Harrison sits proudly atop the run charts and I lead the wicket column, for what little that's worth on a losing afternoon. We'll dust ourselves down, take the positives from a spirited fightback with the ball, and go again next week rather better for the experience.

Tue 03 Aug 2021 🧢 Midweek XIv BC Bexley CC · HomeformWWWWD

Bexley CC rolled up on a Tuesday evening with the sun out and the covers long gone, and naturally the coin betrayed me — over went the toss, and we were put into the field. Jack Bell gave us a proper working-over with a fine 47, Stanley Wells chipped in a handy 40, and Sudheer Suvarna's 24 kept the scoreboard ticking along nicely for them. They closed on 204/8, which felt about 30 more than we'd have liked after tea. Credit where it's due, though: Sam Boyns was miserly and menacing in equal measure for 2-26, Thomas Beeney huffed and puffed his way to 2-54, and Alex Keeler chipped in with 1-16 — between them they kept the total from getting truly embarrassing.

Chasing 205, I'll confess I made my own small contribution before getting out cheaply, as captains occasionally must to remind themselves of humility. It was Nolan Wilde who did the real work, batting beautifully for 51, well past his fifty, with Tobey Castle a tidy 22 alongside him. But the abiding image of the innings will be Sam Boyns, not content with his bowling exploits, staying unbeaten on 20 as he and his eighth-wicket partner conjured 71 crucial runs from somewhere near the bottom of the order — the sort of stand that has you daring to believe.

In the end, though, 179 all out left us 25 runs short. Not our day, then, but not a disgrace either — heads up, chins out, and back to the nets for the lot of us.

Sat 31 Jul 2021 🧢 2nd XIv FC Farningham CC · AwayformWLWWW

From the captain's chair — Saturday 31 July 2021. The road took us to Farningham CC, and the heavens offered us their own gentle brand of encouragement: a pleasant, drizzly afternoon, the sort that gets into your whites and your bones in equal measure. I won the toss and had no hesitation electing to bat — the right call, I felt, and I'll say that with a straight face for as long as anyone lets me.

We posted 146/8 from our 35 overs, a total built rather than blazed. Alex Wade anchored things nicely with 23 not out, and Martin Rivers chipped in handsomely with 22 — between them they gave the innings its spine, even if the rest of us were content to admire from the other end.

Out in the field, defending it proved a rather more nerve-shredding business. Farningham crept to 146/5 off their 35, Freddie Martin unbeaten on 47 doing the real damage to our hopes, well supported by Neal Pittman (26) and Simon Price (25). But Nolan Wilde would not be denied, snaring 3-35, with Tim Thirkell (1-17, two miserly maidens) and Alex Wade (1-38) keeping the screws tight throughout.

And so, after a full day's honest toil under grey skies, not a run separated us. A tie. You simply could not split us with a knife, let alone a scorebook — and if that isn't the truest result village cricket has to offer, I don't know what is.

Sat 31 Jul 2021 🧢 1st XIv OC Outwood CC · HomeformWLWWW

Outwood CC came to Linton Park on a damp, pleasant Saturday, and true to script the toss went against us — I lost it, they batted, and we spent the afternoon chasing leather rather than runs. They ground their way to 186/7 from the full forty, with Louis Russell-Watts the chief architect of our discomfort, a well-made 67 built on a stand of 51 for the second wicket alongside Matthew Norman's tidy 35, with Mark Lane chipping in 21. There was at least some justice: Laurence Williams departed for a duck at our hands. Joshua Knowler was pick of the bowlers with 2-34, well supported by Richard Knowler's miserly 1-27 (two maidens to his name) and Mardey Castle's 1-32.

Chasing 187, I was pleased to lead from the front with 76, ably supported by Mark Christmas's unbeaten 28, but 176/6 from our forty overs left us ten runs shy at the death — agonisingly, familiarly short.

There was a silver lining amid the gloom: Joshua's two wickets nudged him past Richard Knowler and into 24th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list, a fine bit of history-making on an otherwise chastening day. The season charts continue to make pleasant reading regardless — I lead the 1st XI run-scorers with 516, and Joshua tops the wicket charts with 17.

A close, honest defeat, the kind that stings for an hour and mends by Monday. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 24 Jul 2021 🧢 2nd XIv SC Southborough CC · HomeformLWLWW

Saturday 24 July, and a warm, showery afternoon greeted Southborough CC at Linton Park. I lost the toss — no great surprise this season — and we were put into the field. Southborough ground their way to 148/9 from their 40 overs, with only Oscar Brown's 23 really catching the eye. It was the bowlers who did us proud: Nolan Wilde was superb with 3-25, Junaid Mufti and Tim Thirkell chipped in with 2-25 and 2-30 respectively, and Alex Wade kept things tight with two miserly maidens. I'll admit the extras column made for uncomfortable reading — 18 wides and 4 no-balls is generosity we can ill afford, and poor John Karassellos had one of those afternoons behind the stumps, 9 byes going begging. Still, 148 felt eminently gettable.

And so it proved. Richard Piper played the innings of the day, a classy 56, with Henry Bourdillon a fine foil for 33. I contributed a watchful 19 of my own before the job was finished at 150/4 with more than five overs unused. A comfortable six-wicket win in the end, and one that keeps Richard Piper out in front of the 2nd XI run charts with 304 for the season, while Tim Thirkell continues to lead the wicket-takers with 21.

A few sloppy edges to tidy up, but on a day like this, who's complaining. Onwards.

Sat 24 Jul 2021 🧢 1st XIv SC Shipbourne CC · AwayformWWLWW

Lost the toss at Shipbourne on a warm, showery Saturday, and duly found myself padded up rather than deployed to the outfield. No matter — batting first suited us nicely. William Roxburgh and Luke Welsman gave us exactly the sort of platform a captain dreams of and rarely gets, both openers on song and the pair worth 91 for the first wicket before either fell. I came in and simply kept turning the handle, eventually getting to a hundred that felt, by the end, entirely inevitable — though I shan't dwell on it beyond saying 109 was a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work. William and Luke chipped in 40 apiece, extras threw in a generous 32, and only poor Thomas Roxburgh's duck spoiled an otherwise handsome 241 for 7 off our forty.

With that total in the bank, Shipbourne always looked to be batting for pride rather than victory. Ryan Redman's 31 and useful contributions from Alex Everett and David Williams (24 apiece) kept things respectable for a while, but the middle order simply capitulated — 103 for 5 became 105 for 8 in the blink of an eye, with Bruce Goodwin and Andrew Peagram both back in the pavilion without scoring. Joshua Knowler was magnificent, five wickets for a miserly 13 runs off four maidens, ably backed up by Toby Hughes and Thomas Roxburgh among the wickets. All out for 106.

A 135-run win, two points banked, and not a bad way to spend a soggy Saturday.

Wed 21 Jul 2021 🧢 Midweek XIv LX Lord Cornwallis XI · HomeformWWWWW

Winning the toss on a scorching, drizzly afternoon — Kent weather doing its level best to have it both ways — I decided we'd bat, and thank heavens I did. Lord Cornwallis XI were made to toil as we rattled up 240 for 3 from our 32 overs. Benjamin Austin was in irresistible touch, motoring to 119 not out, and I was glad to play the supporting hand with a well-made 78 of my own — quietly satisfying, and rather sweeter for bringing up 5,000 career runs for the club along the way, which I shall be dining out on at the bar for some weeks yet.

Defending that total, we set about them with the ball, and Cornwallis fought back gamely to close on 189 for 8 from their 42. B Regan played the fine hand of the day with 74, well backed by N Brown's 47, while A Norwood-Hill and O Chaerton both departed without troubling the scorers. James West did the heavy lifting up front with 3 for 50, and Thomas Beeney was miserly as ever — 2 for 12 with two maidens — ably supported by Anthony Karassellos's 2 for 36. A word too for Aaron Hughes, who brought up his 100th appearance in Linton colours — a proper club man if ever there was one.

In the end neither side could force it home, and honours were shared. A draw, then, but a thoroughly good one — the sort that leaves everybody happy and nobody quite satisfied, which is cricket all over.

Sun 18 Jul 2021 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv MC Minster (Sheppey) CC · AwayformLLDLW

Sunday 18 July found us away at Minster (Sheppey) CC, under a sky so scorching you could have fried an egg on the sightscreen, and me losing the toss for our trouble. They chose to bat, as sides in the sunshine tend to, and I feared the worst.

I needn't have worried. We bowled them out for 117 in 36.1 overs, with only Harry Smedley (35) and Sayed Alizai (22) offering any real resistance. Joshua Knowler was the pick of the attack with 2-23, Alex Keeler chipped in with 2-26, and I managed 1-0 with three maidens for good measure — miserly if I do say so myself. There was a run of ducks too, poor Ryan Bruce, Frankie Honeysett and Freddie Dolman all departing without troubling the scorer, as we tightened the screw from 39-1 to 53-4 in the blink of an eye.

Chasing 118, we made a mockery of it. William Roxburgh (56 not out) and Aaron Hughes (44 not out) simply took the game away from Minster, and by the 11th over the shackles were properly off — sixteen off a single over as the tempo lifted and the finish line came into view. We cantered home at 120/1 in just 11.3 overs, a nine-wicket win with barely a bead of sweat lost by our openers.

A thoroughly good day for the club: ruthless with the ball, ruthless with the bat, and home in time for tea. Verdict: professional, in the best possible sense — the kind of afternoon that makes the drive to Sheppey entirely worthwhile.

Sun 18 Jul 2021 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformLLLLW

Scorching sun over Linton Park, Headcorn CC the visitors, and for once the toss actually went our way — first use of the ball on a belter of an afternoon. Jordan Vine had other ideas, though, calmly compiling an unbeaten 55, with Trevor Scrivens (34) and Dibendraraj Ashokan (29) chipping in as Headcorn ground their way to 190/8 from their 40. Credit where it's due: Alex Wade was a nuisance all afternoon, 4-22 with three maidens thrown in for good measure — the sort of spell that has batsmen muttering into their gloves — while Thomas Beeney (2-15) and Ian Hollingworth (1-24) kept things honest at the other end.

Chasing 191, we made a fist of it early doors. Trevor Back's 32 and James West's 23 had us ticking along nicely, and for a while 191 didn't look entirely fanciful. Then, as is so often the way with us, the wheels came off in spectacular fashion — 115-6 became 127-9 before you could say "shot selection," and we were bowled out for 131 in 38.4 overs. A collapse of such comic timing it ought to have been in the tea interval, not the middle of an innings.

Fifty-nine runs the wrong side of the ledger, then, and another lesson in the perils of celebrating early. Benjamin Austin (241 runs) and Alex Wade (10 wickets) continue to fly the flag at the top of the season's charts, which is some consolation. Not our day. Heads up, chins out, and back to the nets.

Sat 17 Jul 2021 🧢 2nd XIv Sissinghurst CC · AwayformWLWLW

Sissinghurst's ground looked a picture in the July sun, and after calling correctly I did the traditional captain's thing and stuck us in — mostly, I confess, so I could enjoy the afternoon from a deckchair before remembering I still had to bat. As it turned out, that was no hardship. Laurie Probert simply refused to get out, compiling a magnificent unbeaten hundred, and I found myself enjoying the view from the other end, eventually falling one short of a hundred myself on 91 not out as we racked up 216 for 2. Poor William Roxburgh had rather less fun of it, back in the pavilion for a duck before he'd had time to work up a sweat, though he'd have his revenge later.

Defending 216 always feels like a tidy sum, and so it proved. Sissinghurst never really got the required rate in their sights, crawling to 124 for 9. Colin Jenkins and Andrew Knowler put up the only real resistance, but Roxburgh, restored to his happy place with the ball, tore through with 3 for 10, well backed by Nolan Wilde's 3 for 19 and Anton Bourdillon's 2 for 10. Henry Elliott and Paul Dyas departed without so much as a nibble, and poor John Karassellos had a torrid time behind the stumps, leaking ten byes — the only blemish on an otherwise polished afternoon.

A 92-run victory, two points banked, and Laurie's hundred keeps him top of the season's run charts. All told, a proper day out — the kind that makes the long drive home feel entirely worthwhile.

Sat 17 Jul 2021 🧢 1st XIv Sissinghurst CC · HomeformLWWLW

Saturday 17th July, and I'll admit the toss going against us felt like the universe having a laugh — 185 to chase on a warm, sunny afternoon is no small ask when you'd rather have had first use of the deck yourself.

Sissinghurst set about their innings with intent, Brough Cooper leading the way with 49, Trevor Wright chipping in with 42 and Tom Elliot adding 30, the pair sharing a third-wicket stand worth 56 that threatened to take the game away from us. But cricket has a habit of turning, and turn it did: we ran through their middle and lower order in a blur, 173-6 becoming 181-9 almost before anyone had finished their tea. Poor Peter Masters will not remember his golden duck fondly. Tobey Castle was magnificent, snaring 4-21, with Martin Harris (2-36) and Joshua Knowler (1-26) doing the mopping up, while Alex Keeler bowled with the miserliness of a man guarding the last biscuit in the tin. 185/9 from 40 overs felt, by the end, a good deal less imposing than it had looked at the halfway stage.

Chasing it down, I had the good fortune of a fifty myself — 60, and thoroughly satisfying it was too — while Mark Christmas (34 not out) and Toby Hughes (31) gave the innings its backbone, our openers laying a platform worth 50 for the first wicket. We eased home on 188/4 with overs to spare.

Six wickets, two points, and a very happy drive home.

Thu 15 Jul 2021 🧢 Stagsv TC Tunbridge Wells CC · HomeformWLW

Thursday 15 July 2021, and Tunbridge Wells rolled up to Linton Park under warm, cloudy skies looking for a scalp. I lost the toss, as ever – some things never change – and we were put into the field first up, which at least gave the tea urn a fighting chance of catching up.

Batting first, we never quite found our rhythm, stumbling to 0-1 before we'd even settled into our deckchairs, and the scorebook bears two unwelcome ducks for Jordan Austin and Abishek Pushpavinothan. But Toby Hughes played the anchor beautifully for 30, with Luke Welsman unbeaten on 29 and Tobey Castle's 28 dragging us to a respectable, if not spectacular, 130/7 from our 100 overs. Hughes, incidentally, now sits proudly atop the Stags' season run charts with 129 – a man clearly saving his best for the ledger rather than the highlight reel.

In the field we scrapped hard. Sam Boyns bowled beautifully in tandem with his eight maidens and 2-25, ably backed up by Mardey Castle and Abishek Pushpavinothan with a wicket apiece. But Ed Shepherdson's unbeaten 29, alongside Hugo Williams' 25 and Jonny Shepherdson's 23, eased the visitors home to 132/4.

Beaten by six wickets, then, and no disgrace in that. We'll dust ourselves off, put the kettle back on, and come again next week rather better for the lesson.

Wed 14 Jul 2021 🧢 Midweek XIv Penshurst Park CC · AwayformWWWWW

Right lads, another road trip to Penshurst Park, and if you like your cricket to teeter on the edge before easing over the line, this was one for you.

A warm, cloudy afternoon greeted us, the sort where you can't decide whether to bowl first or not, so we batted and made a workmanlike 151 all out from 38.1 overs. Tobey Castle top-scored with a fine 36, well backed by Laurie Probert's 27 and Aaron Hughes's 23. Below that, things got sparse — Nolan Wilde and Mardey Castle both went for golden ducks, and I'll admit I joined them in the nought column myself. Three of us on the same page of the scorebook is not a chapter I intend to reread.

With ball in hand, though, we were a different side entirely. Penshurst were bowled out for 97 in 37.5 overs, Adam Ranson's 41 and Martin Semmens's 22 the only real resistance. Nolan Wilde made amends for his batting in style, ripping through with 3-21, while Thomas Beeney was a picture of miserliness — 2-8 with three maidens — and Will Thew chipped in with 1-5. Andrew Peto and Ben Powell both departed for ducks of their own, which felt like fair revenge for the afternoon's earlier indignities.

We got over the line, and on a day when the bat let several of us down, the ball more than made up for it. A good day for the club.

Sun 11 Jul 2021 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Bredgar CC · AwayformWLLLL

Sunday 11 July 2021, away at Bredgar, and I lost the toss on a pleasant, drizzly afternoon — so it was straight into the field for us, which suited nobody's digestion but did the job nicely in the end.

Bredgar found their way to 158 all out in 38.1 overs, though it could have been far worse for us after they lost an early wicket with nought on the board. Tim Aylett (32), Edward Louden (28) and Sam Hyslop (27) built things back up, but a wobble from 145-6 to 149-9 — including three ducks for Chris Salter, Kevin Coles and Andy Murphy — handed us the initiative. Ian Lowe was superb, 2-3 with two maidens to boot, and found willing company in Tobey Castle (2-11) and Mardey Castle (2-24).

Chasing 159, we stumbled early to 2-1 before Tobey Castle — fresh from his bowling exertions — played the innings of the day, a chanceless 81 backed up nicely by David Castle's 23, the pair adding 67 for the third wicket. Benjamin Austin's afternoon was one to forget, both with the duck he collected and the 9 byes conceded behind the stumps, while 21 wides and a no-ball in the field did nothing for the blood pressure. Still, we crossed the line for 161-5.

A scruffy performance, generously sprinkled with extras and heartache, but two points are two points — and a five-wicket win is a five-wicket win. We'll take it, gladly, and quietly tidy up the fielding before next week.

Sun 11 Jul 2021 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv NC New Ifield CC · HomeformWLLDL

Skipper's Log — Sunday 11 July 2021, New Ifield CC the visitors, and the sky doing that peculiarly English thing of threatening rain just often enough to keep the covers within sprinting distance. I lost the toss, we were asked to chase, and so with bat tucked away for later I threw the ball round first.

New Ifield limped to 101/8 from their forty overs, Dan Walton the chief nuisance with 44, but the innings never quite got away from us. I found a decent groove to finish with 3-19, with Alex Keeler and Thomas Beeney chipping in a wicket apiece for four runs each, and Tim Thirkell bowling like a man allergic to boundaries — five maidens is not a misprint. Wickets fell steadily enough that New Ifield never threatened to bat us out of the game.

Which left us a modest chase, and modest is rather underselling how briskly we went about it. William Roxburgh, unbeaten on 48, and Luke Welsman, unbeaten on 39, simply helped themselves, losing only Siva Jeya and Matt Barron along the way — both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers, quacking gently. 102/1 from 10.4 overs settled matters with time to spare for tea.

Elsewhere, Welsman continues his fine season, now second in the Sunday 1st XI run charts with 167, while Beeney sits fourth among the wicket-takers. A comprehensive nine-wicket win, then, and precious little to grumble about — even for a captain who specialises in finding something to grumble about. Onwards.

Sat 10 Jul 2021 🧢 2nd XIv BC Bidborough CC · HomeformWWLWL

Saturday 10 July, and Bidborough came calling on an afternoon so damp you half expected the boundary rope to need wringing out. As captain I looked at the pitch, listened to something in my gut that occasionally passes for cricketing wisdom, and put us in. For once, it paid off.

Bidborough ground their way to 152 for 8 off their 40, with Andrew Reid the chief architect of resistance, cruising serenely past fifty to finish on 66. But we chipped away all afternoon — Tim Thirkell was magnificent, tearing through the middle order for 4-50, with Junaid Mufti (2-17) and William Roxburgh (1-10) mopping up either end, while Thomas Roxburgh strangled the scoring with three maidens that must have felt like being slowly throttled by a very polite Englishman.

Chasing 153 was never going to be a stroll, but I found some form at just the right moment, easing to 59 not out — a personal contribution I'll admit to being rather pleased with, though I'll only say so once. Thomas Roxburgh chipped in with a handy 29 with the bat as well as the ball, and Laurie Probert's unbeaten 29 saw us safely home in the 39th over. Four wickets to spare, and rather more relief than the scoreline suggests.

Up in the season's higher echelons, Richard Piper continues to pile up runs like a man with a grudge against bowlers, and Tim Thirkell's wicket tally now reads a very healthy 19. As for Saturday: a good toss won, a good team performance, and — for once — a good day at the office. Tea was, as ever, the real MVP.

Sat 10 Jul 2021 🧢 1st XIv LC Locksbottom CC · AwayformLLWWL

Saturday brought us to Locksbottom under a fine drizzle, the kind that makes you wonder whether you've packed the right jumper, and Lady Luck had already deserted me at the toss — put in to bat, we duly obliged. Losing our first wicket at 6 could have been the story of the afternoon, but a stand of 97 for the third wicket steadied the ship wonderfully. I was fortunate enough to find some form, going on to 86, while Toby Hughes chipped in a fine 49 and Luke Welsman finished unbeaten on 35 to see us home to a healthy 208 for 6 from our forty overs.

Defending that total, we set about our work with real purpose. Martin Harris was the pick of the attack with 3 for 34, well backed up by Tobey Castle's 3 for 38 and a probing spell from Alex Keeler, who bowled two maidens for good measure. Toby Hughes struck too, and poor Will Whitton and Chris Hollands were sent back without troubling the scorers, a fate I wouldn't wish on anyone. Charlie Buck fought hard for 47 and found support from Pulkit Verma and Mark Lambourne, but once the floodgates opened — 139 for 7 becoming 141 all out in a hurry — there was no way back for the visitors.

A word too for Alex Keeler, who brought up 1,000 career runs for the club — a landmark thoroughly deserved. Two points banked, sixty-seven runs to spare: a proper afternoon's cricket, drizzle and all.

Sat 03 Jul 2021 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · AwayformLLLWW

It was a road trip to Bearsted on a warm, showery Saturday, and after winning the toss I put us into the field first — a decision that, in hindsight, our bowlers didn't entirely thank me for. Bearsted made themselves nicely at home, closing on 231/6 from their 40 overs, with Ben Johnston (63) and Charlie Luxton (62 not out) both bringing up well-made fifties and Lewis Bedwell chipping in with 41 to give the total real substance. Credit where it's due: Martin Harris was our pick of the attack with 2-48, Toby Hughes weighed in with 2-58, Tobey Castle took one for 53, and Alex Keeler bowled two miserly maidens that at least kept the scoreboard honest for a spell.

Chasing 232, we made a decent fist of it without ever quite threatening to get there, finishing on 208/7. I was pleased to get in among the runs myself with 48, and had good company from Alex Keeler (32 not out) and Aaron Hughes (26), but wickets fell at the wrong moments to keep the required rate honest. Spare a thought — or perhaps a wry smile — for Tobey Castle, who atoned for his earlier bowling figures by adding his name to the Duck Club ledger with a golden duck of his own.

So, beaten by 23 runs on the day. Bearsted deserved their total, we made them work for the win, and there's plenty to build on. We go again.

Sun 27 Jun 2021 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Kings Hill CC · HomeformLWLLL

Sunday 27 June found us hosting Kings Hill CC on a pleasantly damp afternoon — the sort where the covers earn their keep and nobody quite trusts the outfield. I lost the toss, as is apparently traditional this season, and we were put in to bat.

We compiled a respectable 174 for 7 off our forty, thanks in no small part to Toby Joseph's excellent 48, well supported by Richard Piper's 43 and Anthony Karassellos's 32. Less gloriously, Trevor Back, John Karassellos and your correspondent all contributed the same number to the scoreboard: nought. Three ducks in one innings is not something one boasts about at the bar, but there it is.

With the ball, we simply couldn't stem the flow. Graham Hutchins played a fine, well-made fifty of 55, with Reece Merenda unbeaten on 33 keeping him company, and Kings Hill raced to 104 for 1 in just seventeen overs. My own 1 for 26 was, rather modestly, the pick of our bowling — which tells its own story about the rest of the attack. We went down by nine wickets in the end, heads bowed but not entirely broken.

Small consolation from the wider season: Richard Piper sits fourth in the Sunday 2nd XI run charts with 185, and I find myself, somewhat improbably given the duck above, leading the wicket charts with seven. Not our day, then — back to the nets, and back to believing.

Sat 26 Jun 2021 🧢 2nd XIv Penshurst Park CC · AwayformWWWLW

A drizzly trip down to Penshurst Park, and I lost the toss for the privilege of bowling first in what can only be described as classic English summer weather — the kind where you're never quite sure whether to reach for sunscreen or an umbrella. Penshurst made themselves at home, racking up 189 for 9 off their forty overs, with Nicholas Scott compiling a thoroughly polished 72 and getting handy support from Adnan Qureshi's 30 and Tom Scott's 23. Credit to the lads with the ball, though — Ian Hollingworth was superb, 3 for 10 with three maidens to boot, miserly enough to make Penshurst's middle order distinctly nervous, while Tim Thirkell (3-37) and Darrell Houghton-Judge (2-41) chipped in nicely. Peter Lyddon departed for a golden duck, which was some small consolation on an otherwise chastening afternoon in the field.

Chasing 190 was always going to ask questions of our batting, and unfortunately we answered most of them wrong, bundled out for 105 in 26.5 overs. I managed 37 that at least kept the scoreboard ticking, with Shehryar Gul's 24 the other notable contribution, but Pieto Swart and Anton Bourdillon both fell for ducks and the middle order simply couldn't build anything lasting.

Season-wise there's still plenty to be pleased about — I'm out in front of the 2nd XI run charts with 223, and Thirkell leads the wickets with 12. But today, beaten fair and square. We dust ourselves down and go again.

Sat 26 Jun 2021 🧢 1st XIv Meopham CC · HomeformWLLLW

Skipper's Log — Saturday 26 June 2021, and Meopham CC were our visitors on a warm, overcast afternoon that felt made for cricket, if not necessarily for decisive captaincy. I won the toss and, in a fit of aggression I can only put down to the sausage roll at lunch, stuck them in.

For a while it looked shrewd. We had them 7 for 1 and I permitted myself a small, private smile. Mark Lewis-Ranwell and company had other ideas, however, and a stand of 73 for the second wicket dragged Meopham back into calm waters, Lewis-Ranwell going on to a fine 81 with Kevin Smith chipping in 26. Credit to the lads for hauling it back at the death — 151 for 7 became 158 all out, with Ross Tucker and George Bruce both back in the hutch without scoring. Anthony Karassellos was superb, 3 for 31, with Alex Keeler (2-25) and Toby Hughes (1-24) tidying up nicely behind him.

Chasing 159, we got there with five wickets and a few overs to spare — 159 for 5 in 38.3 overs. I'm rather pleased to say I made 52 myself, the runs that mattered, before Aaron Hughes (39 not out) and Luke Welsman (28) saw it home, with an 85-run third-wicket stand doing the heavy lifting. Poor Tobey Castle will be buying the teas after his duck.

Two points, thoroughly earned, and a five-wicket win to nod along to on the drive home.

Wed 23 Jun 2021 🧢 Midweek XIv The Mote CC · HomeformWWWWW

Wednesday brought The Mote CC to Linton Park under a sky that couldn't quite decide whether to bother with the sun, and I won the toss and sent them in, fancying there might be something in it for the seamers. They battled to 112 all out in 34.1 overs, with Theeshan Satkunaseelan the chief obstacle to our afternoon's plans, compiling a stubborn 62 that carried more than half their total on its own. Around him, though, the innings crumbled rather sweetly — Nathan Hinckley, Keith Alexander and John V all trooped back for ducks, and Nolan Wilde was the pick of the attack with a miserly 2-6. I chipped in with 2-20, John Karassellos matched me with 2-23, and Henry Bourdillon strangled the scoring at the other end with two maidens for good measure.

Chasing 113, we made harder work of it than the target deserved, stumbling to 113/6 from 24.2 overs. Henry Bourdillon top-scored with 31, ably assisted by an unbeaten 27 from Toby Hughes, while poor Tobey Castle will want this one struck from the record — out for nought and straight into the Duck Club ledger.

Bourdillon now leads our 2021 run charts and Wilde tops the wicket-takers, both fully deserved. Scrappy in places, but a win is a win, and we'll take it with both hands. Onwards.

Sun 20 Jun 2021 🧢 Sunday NVKCv CC Crowhurst Park CC · AwayformLLWWW

A pleasant, drizzly Sunday saw us make the trip to Crowhurst Park, and losing the toss on a soggy afternoon usually feels like a mercy — not today. Put in, they made hay: Thomas Powell cantered to 63, with Clive Tong (43) and Timothy Hambridge (42) doing the heavy lifting either side of him. We did strike early, prising out their first wicket for just 1, but a stubborn 111-run stand for the second put paid to any early optimism, and they closed on a stiff 198/6 from their forty. Credit where due — Tobey Castle bowled beautifully for 3-37, with Martin Harris and Alex Keeler chipping in a wicket apiece.

Chasing 199, George Taylor batted with real class for 73, well backed by Alex Keeler's 23, and an eighth-wicket stand of 83 briefly had us believing in something rather wonderful. Forty-five extras were gratefully banked too — not the most elegant runs, but they all count. Alas, the 25th over undid us: two wickets in the space of a few deliveries, and the tail simply couldn't stitch the innings back together. All out for 190 in 38.2 overs.

Eight runs short, then — the cruellest of margins, and one that will sting on the drive home. Tobey Castle keeps his name atop the season's run charts with 120, and Alex Keeler leads the wicket-takers with six. Small consolations. Heads up, chins up, back to the nets — this one got away from us, but only just.

Sat 19 Jun 2021 🧢 1st XIv Cudham Wyse CC · HomeformDWLLL

Winning the toss on a pleasant, damp Saturday afternoon at Linton Park, I didn't need long to make up my mind — into the field we went, praying the pitch would do us a favour for once. It obliged handsomely. Cudham Wyse were in trouble before they'd drawn breath, an early wicket falling with the scoreboard still reading nought, and from there Adeel Malik, Mansur Hafeez and Naveed Ahmad all trooped back without so much as a single to their names. Joshua Knowler was the chief tormentor with a fine 3-19, ably supported by Toby Hughes (2-19) and Alex Keeler, whose 2-13 included three maidens — the sort of miserly spell that has opposing batsmen muttering into their gloves. Moazzam Sultan's 22 was the only real resistance as the visitors were bowled out for 83 in 39.5 overs.

Chasing such a modest total ought to be straightforward, and to our credit it very nearly was — a brisk 57-run opening stand set the tone, and I was fortunate enough to play my part with 44 as we motored to 84 for 4 in 24.1 overs. Losing four wickets along the way was more generosity than necessity, but nobody was complaining come the winning runs.

A comfortable six-wicket victory, then, and one built on discipline with the ball as much as application with the bat. Bowling first was the right call, fielding first was the winning one, and the season charts are looking rather pleasing besides. Onwards indeed.

Wed 16 Jun 2021 🧢 Stagsv Offham CC · HomeformWL

Right, overcast and warm — 16 June, Offham CC at home, all logged. Not a task requiring tools; here's the report.

Another scorcher of an overcast afternoon at Linton Park, and I won the toss with all the strategic genius of a man guessing heads — we bowled first, which on reflection turned out to be the right call, even if I'd love to claim it was foresight rather than habit. Offham built steadily to 141 for 8, with Ben Gittings the chief architect on 49, well backed by David Sibley (33) and Mark Collier (32). Credit to the lads with the ball, though — Angus Knowler was outstanding, mixing up his lengths for 2 for 21, with Tobey Castle (2-22) and Anthony Karassellos (1-7) chipping in nicely, and Dave Tucker walking back for a duck to remind everyone that cricket can be a cruel game.

A tidy chase of 142 lay ahead, and it fell to Jordan Austin (53 not out) and Toby Hughes (51 not out) to see us home in fine style, the pair batting with the sort of calm that makes a captain's job look easy from the boundary. I'll confess to a small personal contribution with bat in hand along the way, which I'm content to leave at that. Mardey Castle's duck was the one blemish on an otherwise handsome scorecard — these things happen to the best of us.

We got over the line in the end, and with Toby Hughes now topping the Stags' run charts and Anthony Karassellos leading the wickets, the season's shaping up nicely. A good day for the club, and, dare I say, rather a good one for the skipper too.

Sun 13 Jun 2021 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv BC Bobbing Court and Lower Halstow CC · AwayformWLWLL

Beaten at Bobbing Court, but not before we had our say. Won the toss on a warm, overcast afternoon down at Lower Halstow and, fancying runs might be hard to come by later, I had no hesitation sticking us in. It didn't look like genius early on, mind, with the scoreboard reading a sorry 3-1 before some of us had finished our tea. But Nolan Wilde steadied things in fine style with 34, James West chipped in with a tidy 21, and the extras column — a generous 37 — did more for our total than half the top order combined. We limped, then rallied, to 158 for 9 off our forty, though Benjamin Austin and Thuraiappah Pushpavinothan will want their names kept out of the Duck Club minutes this week.

Defending it, we were made to work. Trevor Earl and Dominic Reid put on 73 for the fifth wicket in a partnership that threatened to bat us out of the match entirely, Earl finishing with 46 and Reid 44. Ian Lowe led our attack manfully with 2 for 24, and I did my bit with the ball, picking up 2 for 34, while Tim Thirkell was miserliness personified — four maidens and 1 for 11 in an economy spell that deserved better luck. Sadly, thirty-five wides and no-balls gifted them a small second innings of their own, and that, in the end, was the difference.

Four wickets the wrong way, but plenty to build on — Benjamin Taylor's early departure aside, there was real substance in this performance. We'll tighten the lines and come back stronger next Sunday.

Sun 13 Jun 2021 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Chestfield CC · HomeformWWLLD

Beaten but never bowed, we welcomed Chestfield CC on a warm, grey Sunday, and I'll admit the toss falling our way felt like the highlight of my afternoon rather early — I put us in, and for a while it looked the right call.

Toby Hughes played the innings of the day, 48 well-crafted runs, with George Taylor chipping in handsomely alongside him with 44. Between them they gave 162 all out from 35.5 overs a respectable shape, even if the tail told its own sorry tale, not least poor Alex Keeler's duck. As for your captain, I contributed a nought and, in the interests of good taste, we shall move swiftly on.

With ball in hand we fought hard. Chestfield made a flier of a start — 67 for the first wicket before Gabe Mitchell fell to us for a duck, which at least proved we hadn't left our boots at home. Arron Bennett's fifty was the innings that did for us, well supported by Joseph Mitchell's 33 and Ben Burgess's 20, and they eventually reached 166/6 from 33.2 overs. Abishek Pushpavinothan was superb, 3 for 31 with three maidens to boot, and Toby Hughes and Anthony Karassellos chipped in dutifully.

Beaten by four wickets, then, and no disgrace in it. A battling effort, a captain's duck best forgotten, and plenty to build on next week.

Sat 12 Jun 2021 🧢 1st XIv SC St Lawrence & Highland Court CC · AwayformWDWLL

Called correctly for once — a rare skill of mine that never quite translates into runs — and had no hesitation shoving us in to bat on a warm, cloudy afternoon down at St Lawrence & Highland Court. It did not begin well. Five for one inside the first exchanges is the sort of start that has you studying your tea flask rather than the scorebook, but Darrell Houghton-Judge (31) and Alex Wade (22) steadied things nicely, and the pair added a handsome 56 for the fourth wicket to give the innings some shape. Elsewhere the card wasn't so kind — ducks for both Alex Keeler and Ian Hollingworth — and we limped to 139 all out in 32.1 overs, propped up rather generously by 42 extras, which I choose to call a team effort.

In the field we were better than the total suggested. Nolan Wilde bowled beautifully for 2-14, with Luke Welsman (1-9) and Alex Keeler (1-12) chipping in, but Oliver Curtiss simply had other ideas, cracking a fine 63 and putting on 55 for the first wicket with Joshua Baker (25) to see the hosts home at 140-5 from 22 overs.

Beaten by five wickets, then, though not without pride — I'm quietly pleased to be sitting second in the run charts this season, and Alex Keeler can console his duck with second spot among the wickets. We'll be better for it next week.

Wed 09 Jun 2021 🧢 Stagsv Leeds & Broomfield CC · AwayformW

Wednesday's away trip took us to Leeds & Broomfield, and I'll admit the scoreline flatters our hosts rather more than us. Put in the field on a warm, sunny afternoon, we watched Dom O'Connell bat with real class for an unbeaten fifty, well backed by Max Aitken (48) and Edward Scrivens (43), as their total climbed steadily to a stiff 202 for 4. Credit where it's due to the attack, mind — Mardey Castle was superb, returning 1 for 10 in tight, probing spells, with Archie Fairfax-Ross (1-24) and Anthony Karassellos (1-31) chipping in, and between us we did at least have the satisfaction of sending Monte McCague back for a golden duck.

Chasing 203 was always going to ask serious questions of our top order, and I'm afraid we didn't have enough good answers. Wickets fell at regular intervals and we were bowled out — sorry, all out — for 117 for 8, never quite finding the partnership to threaten a total of that size. I contributed to the effort with the bat myself, part of a season in which I now find myself leading the 2021 Stags run charts with 64, for whatever comfort that's worth on a losing afternoon; Anthony Karassellos, meanwhile, continues his tidy campaign with the ball, sitting second in the wicket charts.

All told, a day where our bowlers did the honourable thing and our batsmen let the side down rather more comprehensively. A defeat, certainly, but one to learn from — homework for the nets before the next outing.

Sun 06 Jun 2021 🧢 Sunday NVKCv Leeds & Broomfield CC · AwayformWLLWW

A warm, drizzly afternoon at Leeds & Broomfield seemed made for bowling first, so that's exactly what we did. Fred Roberts set the tone for the hosts with 32, with Max Aitken (27) and Edward Scrivens (25) keeping the scoreboard ticking, and they eventually settled on 157/7 from their forty overs. Tobey Castle was in inspired form with the ball, plucking out three for 29, Dan Creasey among his victims for a duck, while Sam Boyns chipped in with two for 35 and Martin Harris one for 25. Alex Keeler, meanwhile, was miserliness personified, sending down two maidens that the Leeds batsmen simply couldn't get away.

A target of 158 always looked gettable, and so it proved, though not without the odd wobble along the way, 161/8 from 39.1 overs suggests a chase with a pulse of its own. Mark Christmas led from the front with 37, Sam Boyns continued his excellent day with an unbeaten 36, and George Taylor weighed in with 33. Spare a thought for poor Toby Hughes, whose golden duck will live long in the memory for all the wrong reasons.

Elsewhere in the season's doings, Tobey Castle now sits atop the Sunday NVKC run charts with 103, and Sam Boyns leads the wicket-takers with six, both fully deserved after performances like this. All told, a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work, and a win to be proud of.

Sun 06 Jun 2021 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Chelsfield Park CC · HomeformWWLWL

It was Chelsfield Park CC at home on a warm, showery Sunday, and having called correctly I fancied runs on the board rather than a chase — batting first seemed the obvious call. As it turned out, "obvious" and "wise" are not always the same word in this game.

We laboured to 119 all out in 32.1 overs, rescued from real embarrassment by Davy Matthews, whose fifty was the innings' one shaft of sunlight. Thuraiappah Pushpavinothan, Fred Taylor and Ryan Silk all contributed golden ducks — a trio of nothings that rather set the tone — while our extras column, with 27, very nearly out-batted the top order. As for the skipper, I led from the front in the worst possible way: a golden blob. They do say a captain must lead by example. On this occasion I led by cautionary tale.

With the ball we fought hard. Tim Thirkell was superb, 2-14 with two maidens, well backed by Davy Matthews (2-23) and Fred Taylor (1-6). But Mani Aniyath's 23, with Vineel Busireddy unbeaten on 22 and Dinesh Muduli's 20, edged Chelsfield home at 120/6, and 11 byes behind the stumps told their own tale of a testing afternoon for the gloves.

Elsewhere, Thomas Beeney sits third in the Sunday 2nd XI run charts on 195, and Tim Thirkell second in the wickets on 6 — proof there's substance in this side even when the top order goes missing.

Not our day, beaten by four wickets. Heads up, back to the nets.

Sat 05 Jun 2021 🧢 1st XIv BC Bidborough CC · HomeformWWDWL

Since I'm on this, back to me — I chipped in with 29, top-scoring alongside a middle-order steadiness that, frankly, the rest of the card rather needed. It's early June, the covers had barely dried, and Bidborough arrived to a warm, overcast afternoon perfect for seam and swing, which perhaps explains why I fancied bowling first and put us in... to bat, as it turned out, which rather undermines the theory. Whatever the logic, 86 all out in 35.1 overs was scant reward for an afternoon's toil, and the middle order's habit of losing the plot spectacularly — 67 for 5 becoming 76 for 8 before most of us had finished our tea — will not be troubling the highlights reel. George Taylor, Mark Christmas and Junaid Mufti all contributed golden ducks apiece, which is one way to keep an innings brief.

Eighty-six was never going to test a side with any application, and Bidborough, quite reasonably, didn't overexert themselves in chasing it down. Anthony Karassellos bowled his heart out for 2 for 27 and Martin Harris chipped in with 1 for 21, but James Baldock's composed 30 saw the visitors home for the loss of four wickets, wrapping things up inside eighteen overs.

Not our day, then, and by some distance — down by six wickets with the bat letting the side down badly. Still, I remain top of the season's run charts on 141, Karassellos leads the wickets on nine, and there's plenty of season left to put this one right. Heads up, chins out, back to the nets.

Wed 02 Jun 2021 🧢 Stagsv Meopham CC · Homeform—

From the captain's chair — Wednesday 02 June 2021. We hosted Meopham CC on a warm, cloudy afternoon rather more suited to a deckchair than a cap and pads, though there was cricket to be played and played it duly was.

The toss went against us, and Meopham had few qualms about asking us to bat first. We ground our way to 149/6 from a full 100 overs, a total that owed almost everything to Tobey Castle, whose composed unbeaten 53 was the innings' spine, with Toby Hughes chipping in a handy 30 alongside him. Not every contribution sparkled — Aaron Hughes will be keener to talk about the weather than his golden duck, and as for my own effort, nought is nought, and the less said about my dismissal the better; we shall draw a discreet veil over it.

Defending 149 is never comfortable, but the bowlers made it look almost routine. Max Butler set the tone with 2-13, George Taylor backed him up superbly with 2-15, and Tobey Castle, not content with his runs, added a wicket for 3. David Pollard's 29 and Kevin Smith's 28 threatened to make a match of it, but Meopham subsided to 115/8, Adam Roxburgh among those to depart without troubling the scorers.

Two points, thoroughly earned, and a 34-run victory to bank. A day where the bat and ball both did rather more talking than the captain.

Sun 30 May 2021 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv MC Minster (Sheppey) CC · HomeformWWWLW

Sunday 30 May 2021, and Minster (Sheppey) CC came to Linton Park under a kind, sunny sky — the sort of afternoon that makes you forget how these things usually end for us. We won the toss, batted, and for once the top order actually turned up: Richard Piper anchored the innings beautifully for an unbeaten 91, Benjamin Austin cracked on to 69, and Martin Rivers weighed in with 40. Add a generous 28 extras courtesy of the visitors' generosity with line and length, and 232 for 2 off our forty overs felt like a total to be proud of, if not quite armour-plated.

Defending it was another matter entirely. George Christian simply refused to be parted from the crease, finishing unbeaten on 90, while Cameron Bruce (47) and Riccardo Di Cicco (45) gave him company enough to keep the scoreboard ticking uncomfortably fast. We did have our moments — Tim Thirkell bowled with real heart for 2 for 38, Nolan Wilde chipped in with 2 for 60, and I managed to get among the wickets myself, sending Haydn Golzey back for a golden duck — but 236 for 4 came up with nearly two overs to spare, and Minster deservedly walked off the happier side.

Benjamin Austin continues to lead our Sunday 2nd XI run charts this season, and Tim Thirkell sits fourth among the wicket-takers, so there's plenty to build on. A defeat, in truth, but a well-fought one, and there's cricket in this side yet.

Sat 29 May 2021 🧢 2nd XIv FC Farningham CC · HomeformLWWWL

Saturday saw Farningham CC roll into Linton Park under skies that couldn't quite decide whether to sulk, and having called it right at the toss, I did what any self-respecting captain does with a coin in his favour and sent them in. They made themselves rather too comfortable, racking up 213 for 6 from their forty overs, Simon Evans purring to 68 and Richard Pleydell not far behind on a classy 65, with Matthew Ward unbeaten on 30 to round things off. Poor Ed Bisley, meanwhile, will not be troubling this year's averages. Credit where it's due: Tim Thirkell bowled beautifully for 2 for 22, two maidens included, with Junaid Mufti (2-37) and Anton Bourdillon (1-14) chipping away either side of him.

Chasing 214, we got there with something to spare — 215 for 5 in 39.2 overs — thanks chiefly to Junaid Mufti's unbeaten 60 and a solid 39 from Laurie Probert, with the extras column doing its bit with 27. I added 37 of my own, which I'm claiming entirely on merit and not at all on generous wides.

Two footnotes for the scorebook: Laurie brought up 3,000 career runs for the club, and Tim's two wickets nudged him past Gordon Fenner into 15th on the all-time list. A fine win by 5 wickets, and honestly, we'll take it — tea was good too.

Sat 29 May 2021 🧢 1st XIv OC Outwood CC · AwayformLWWDW

Saturday 29 May 2021, and off we trundled to Outwood on an afternoon that could best be described as pleasantly grey — English cricket weather in its purest form. I won the toss and, in a fit of optimism I'd later question, stuck us in. Forty overs later we'd cobbled together 136/9, a total that owed rather more to the extras column (36, bless them, virtually an opening partnership in themselves) than to any great fireworks from the middle order. Mark Christmas held things together nicely with an unbeaten 39, calm and correct while wickets fell around him. Spare a thought, though, for poor Henry Bourdillon, who contributed nothing at all — golden, in fact — and no doubt trudged off to a chorus of sympathetic quacking.

Defending 136 was always going to require something special, and for a while Alex Keeler threatened to provide it, bowling tidily for 2-26 with three maidens, well backed by Anthony Karassellos and Richard Knowler with a wicket apiece. But Ashley Middleton (61) and Louis Russell-Watts (55 not out) had other ideas, putting on 50 for the third wicket and steering Outwood home with four wickets and plenty of overs to spare — 137/4 in 31.3.

Not our day, then, beaten by six wickets, and a case of heads up and back to the nets. Mark Christmas continues to lead our run charts and Anthony Karassellos our wickets, so all is not lost — merely dented. Onwards.

Sun 23 May 2021 🧢 Sunday NVKCv EC Eynsford CC · AwayformWWLLW

Sunday 23 May 2021, and the road took us to Eynsford CC beneath skies that had clearly not read the fixture list — cool, drizzly, and blustery enough to make you question your love of the game before the first ball was even bowled. To make matters worse, I lost the toss and we were asked to field first, which on a day like that felt like being told to go and stand in the rain, because that is precisely what it meant.

With the bat we were soon reminded of village cricket's oldest cruelty, slipping to 6 for 1 before Tobey Castle set about repairing the innings with a thoroughly well-made fifty, 60 in the end, and I was glad to lend a hand with 48 of my own while Sam Boyns chipped in a tidy 22. Our fifth-wicket pair added a priceless 96 to drag us to 165 all out. Less gloriously, Jordan Austin, Aaron Hughes and Abishek Pushpavinothan all took that lonely walk back for nought — the Duck Club ledger duly updated.

Defending 165 never looked comfortable, and Eynsford's Lewis Marlow (45), George Taylor (31) and James Ashdown (25) gave us some anxious overs. But Joshua Knowler bowled beautifully for 3-22 with three maidens, I picked up 2-24, and Abishek made amends with the ball, 1-19, as they finished 156/9.

A day of milestones too — Tobey Castle's 4,000th career run, Alex Keeler's 100th career wicket, and Abishek's 50th. Nine runs the margin, two points the reward, and thoroughly earned in the Kent drizzle.

Sun 23 May 2021 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv SC Southern Railway and Kenley CC · HomeformWWWWL

Southern Railway and Kenley CC rolled up on a cool, damp, blustery Sunday, and having lost the toss, I found us doing what Linton Park does best in such weather – standing about in a field wondering why we bother with sunscreen. Still, the lads made a proper fist of it with the ball later on, so no complaints.

With the bat we posted a very respectable 237/5 from our forty overs, built on an opening stand of 77 that gave the innings the platform it needed. Martin Rivers was the star of the show, purring to 97 – agonisingly shy of the ton, but no less handsome for it – with Benjamin Austin chipping in a fine 58 and Richard Piper a tidy 29 to keep things ticking along nicely.

Defending the total, we asked Southern Railway and Kenley to chase it down, and to their credit J Dinning gave it a real go with 78, backed up by Ian Cardew's 29 and M Bruce's 24. But the bowlers kept nibbling away – John Karassellos the pick with 2-28, Alex Wade following with 2-39, and James West chipping in with 1-23, with X Kievani sent packing for a duck along the way. They finished on 213/7, twenty-four runs short.

A thoroughly satisfying afternoon, then – bat, ball and weather all conspiring in our favour for once. Verdict: a good day for the club, and Martin Rivers's near-century will be the toast of the clubhouse, damp jumpers and all.

Sat 22 May 2021 🧢 2nd XIv SC Southborough CC · AwayformLLWWW

Skipper's log, then: a trip to Southborough, a lost toss, and the not-inconsiderable pleasure of being asked to bat first on a Saturday when the tea urn was presumably still warming up.

We were bowled out for 156 in 38.1 overs, which on paper looks like a middling effort and, in truth, played rather like one. Richard Piper top-scored with a tidy 37, with Junaid Mufti (21) and Martin Rivers (20) chipping in like good club men should. The less said about Anton Bourdillon's golden duck the better, though he took it on the chin with the good grace we've come to expect — and no doubt a pint was owed by close of play.

With the ball in hand we fancied our chances, and for one over we rather did — 8 for 1 is the sort of start that gets a captain's hopes up before reality sets back in. Alas, Christopher Williams and Phil Davis had other ideas, cantering to unbeaten fifties of 88 and 51 respectively and putting the game thoroughly out of reach. Nolan Wilde (1-24) and Tim Thirkell (1-25) toiled honestly without support, Thirkell's efforts keeping him top of our 2021 wicket charts, and Piper's runs enough to hold second in the run charts — small consolations on a chastening afternoon.

Beaten by eight wickets, then. Not our finest hour, but heads up and back to the nets — Southborough won this one fair and square, and we'll have our day yet.

Sat 22 May 2021 🧢 1st XIv SC Shipbourne CC · HomeformDLWWD

From the captain's chair — Saturday 22 May 2021. We hosted Shipbourne CC on a cool, damp afternoon, the kind that makes you wonder whether you left the electric blanket on at home. I lost the toss, which these days feels less like bad luck and more like a season-long pattern, and we were asked to field first.

Batting second suited us rather better. We posted 179/5 from our forty overs, though not without an early wobble — 6 on the board and already a wicket down, the sort of start that has the tea urn muttering darkly. Order was restored in style: I made 67, with excellent support from Mark Christmas, unbeaten on 65, the pair of us putting on 116 for the fourth wicket while the rest of the side watched from the boundary rope with growing confidence. Aaron Hughes and Luke Welsman both walked back for ducks, joining the club's less illustrious ledger.

In the field, we were ruthless. Shipbourne slid from 19-1 to 32-4 and never recovered, bowled out for a meagre 67 in 34 overs. Ben Watts, Keith Willis and Bruce Goodwin all departed without scoring, and the spell of the day belonged unquestionably to Anthony Karassellos, whose 5-9 was as fine a piece of bowling as you'll see on a village green. Joshua Knowler chipped in admirably with 3-14 and two maidens, Richard Knowler adding 1-4.

A comprehensive 112-run win. Onwards, indeed.

Sat 15 May 2021 🧢 2nd XIv Sissinghurst CC · HomeformWLLWW

Saturday 15th May saw Sissinghurst CC roll into Linton Park under grey, showery skies, and I confess I called correctly at the toss for once — small mercies — and had no hesitation in sticking us into the field.

It proved a shrewd, if slightly lucky, decision. Our attack ran through the visitors like a dose of salts, 69 for 6 crumbling to 84 for 9 in the blink of an eye, poor Tony Reader among the fallen for a golden duck at our hands. Tim Thirkell was the chief architect of the collapse with a superb 3-11, while Pieto Swart bowled with miserly discipline — 2-8 including four maidens, not a run given away lightly — and Anton Bourdillon chipped in with 2-16. Sissinghurst were bowled out for 94 in 34.1 overs, and frankly could have no complaints.

Chasing 95, we were untidy in patches — 98 for 4 from 28.1 overs tells its own story of a few nervous moments — but Aaron Hughes anchored things beautifully with an unbeaten 35, ushered along by Will Thew's 23 and Henry Bourdillon's 21. Job done, six wickets in hand.

Two points banked, and thoroughly earned. A tidy afternoon's work all round, and if the season table is anything to go by — Hughes second among our 2nd XI run-scorers, Thirkell top of the wicket pile — the lads are building something rather promising. More of the same, please.

Sat 15 May 2021 🧢 1st XIv Sissinghurst CC · AwayformLDLWW

Here's the match report:

Saturday 15 May found us making the trip to Sissinghurst under skies that couldn't quite make up their minds, a cool, damp afternoon that seemed to promise more trouble than it delivered. Losing the toss and being asked to field first is rarely the news a captain wants to hear, but as it turned out, the day had other plans for us entirely.

Our innings brought 141 for 5 off 26.3 overs, a total built on a platform of good sense rather than fireworks. Luke Welsman led the way with a composed 39, the runs that mattered most, while George Taylor chipped in a tidy 31 alongside my own contribution of the same number — the sort of batting that doesn't grab headlines but keeps a scoreboard ticking over nicely.

Then came our turn in the field, and here the story took a curious twist: Sissinghurst were bowled out for nought. Whatever unfolded out there, the record books simply note it and move on, and so shall I, with what dignity I can muster.

For the season standings, Tobey Castle continues his steady climb up the 1st XI run charts, now sitting second with 78 to his name — one to watch as the summer rolls on.

In the end, honours were shared: a draw, when neither side could quite force the door open. Not the stuff of legend, perhaps, but an honest afternoon's cricket, and in this game, that's rarely nothing at all.

Sun 09 May 2021 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv WC Wadhurst CC · AwayformWWWLL

Sunday 09 May 2021 took us down to Wadhurst CC, and we duly lost the toss and were shown to the field — never our preferred start, but as the day unfolded I began to wonder if the coin had done us a favour after all.

Batting first, we set about the Wadhurst attack with real intent. Tobey Castle led the charge with a majestic 93, falling agonisingly short of what would have been a very fine hundred indeed, while Jordan Austin's unbeaten 90 was every bit as commanding. Abishek Pushpavinothan chipped in a tidy 21 not out, and between them the lads carried us to 214 for 1 off 29 overs — the sort of total that has opposition bowlers reaching for the liniment early.

With the ball, Anthony Karassellos was the star of the show, ripping through the top order — Josh Kemp, Ryan Hall and James McCollum all back in the shed without troubling the scorers, and figures of 2 for 2 to boot, backed up by five miserly maidens that strangled the life out of Wadhurst's innings. Pieto Swart (2-9) and Ian Lowe (2-18) kept the squeeze on, and only Alan Notley's gutsy unbeaten 64 stood between us and victory, as they closed on 113 for 9 from 43 overs. Ten byes behind the stumps was the one blot on an otherwise tidy afternoon with the gloves.

In the end honours were shared — a draw when neither side could force it home. On the balance of the day's play, though, this was one that got away from us, and we'll take some consoling from Castle's runs and Karassellos's wickets on the long drive home.

Sun 09 May 2021 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv LC Lydd CC · AwayformLWWWW

Beaten but not bowed, we set off for Lydd on a damp Sunday afternoon with hope in our hearts and, if I'm honest, one eye on the sky. Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in taking first knock — the right call, I still maintain, whatever the scorecard might later suggest. We laboured to 153 all out from 39.3 overs, a total built on solid if unspectacular contributions from Aaron Hughes (42) and Thomas Beeney (41), with Henry Bourdillon chipping in a handy 22. Less handy were the twin ducks from Richard Piper and Luke Welsman, who both took that lonely walk back to the pavilion for nought — commiserations, gentlemen, the tea urn awaits.

In the field we scrapped hard. I led the attack myself and picked up 1-17, with Anton Bourdillon (1-22) and Tim Thirkell (1-26) chipping away at the other end, while Alex Keeler bowled two miserly maidens to keep things honest. But Darren Baker had other ideas, cruising to 97 — agonisingly short of the century he thoroughly deserved — well supported by L Unwin's 20, and Lydd cantered home on 156/4 from just 23 overs.

Six wickets the margin, and no arguing with it. Elsewhere in the club, Thomas Beeney continues to top our Sunday 2nd XI run charts with 180 for the season, and Alex Wade leads the wickets column with four. As for us — a spirited effort undone by one man having the game of his life. We'll dust ourselves off and be better for it next week.

Sun 02 May 2021 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv NC Norton Sports CC · HomeformWLWWW

As it stands from the captain's chair, Sunday 2 May found us hosting Norton Sports CC under skies that couldn't quite decide whether to rain on our parade or merely threaten to. I won the toss — a rare enough event to note in the annals — and had no hesitation batting first, reasoning that runs on the board are worth two in the bush, or however that goes.

The lads duly obliged. Henry Bourdillon batted with real assurance for his unbeaten 84, and Thomas Beeney matched him stride for stride with 77 not out, the pair putting Norton to the sword while Martin Rivers chipped in a handy 32. Even our extras column got in on the act with 25. Declaring ourselves satisfied at 243/4 from the forty, we knew we'd given ourselves something to bowl at.

Norton did not go quietly. Tom Boucher's unbeaten 86 and Daniel Marshall's fifty-laden 71 had us checking our maths more than once, but Anthony Karassellos kept chiselling away for 2-55, with Tim Thirkell (1-19, two miserly maidens) and Alex Wade (1-20) refusing to let the game run away from us. Norton finished five runs light — sorry, nineteen — at 224/6.

A tense, showery, thoroughly English afternoon, and we came out the right side of it. A good day for the club, and not a bad one for the tea urn either.

Sun 02 May 2021 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Leeds & Broomfield CC · AwayformDWWWL

Sunday last found us on the road to Leeds & Broomfield, and if you'd asked me beforehand I'd have fancied our chances against the showers if not, in the end, the scoreboard. We lost the toss, were put into the field on a cool, blustery afternoon, and watched their openers settle in far too comfortably, cruising to 65 before the first wicket fell. Max Aitken made merry to the tune of 71, with Chris Davis (35) and Monte McCague (33) chipping in handsomely as they racked up 216/7. I managed to have some influence with the ball, finishing with 2-36, well supported by Abishek Pushpavinothan, whose two maidens and 2-36 kept things honest, and Sam Boyns picked up 1-31 for good measure.

Chasing 217 was always going to ask questions of us, and we answered them rather too quietly, losing an early wicket with just a solitary run on the board to set the nervy tone. James Piper played the innings of the day with a fine 43, and I was glad to potter along unbeaten on 39 in support, while Abishek added a useful 20. Elsewhere the story was less cheerful — Jordan Austin and Sam Boyns both departed without troubling the scorers, ducks that rather summed up our afternoon. We were bowled out for 163, some 53 runs shy of the target.

Not our day, then — heads up, and back to the nets we go, wiser if not much richer for the experience.

Sat 01 May 2021 🧢 2nd XIv BC Bidborough CC · AwayformWWLLW

Away at Bidborough, and for once I won the toss and didn't need my arm twisting — the pitch had "bowl first" written all over it, so into the field we went.

Bidborough set us 182 to chase from their 40 overs, built largely around Alex Latham's fine 88, well supported by Steve Waller's 37. Credit to the bowling unit for keeping a lid on things throughout: Darrell Houghton-Judge did the early damage with 2-16, while James West (2-27) and Richard Knowler (2-33, two miserly maidens thrown in for good measure) chipped away to keep the total within reach. Nothing given away cheaply — a proper team effort with the ball.

Chasing it down, Benjamin Austin played the innings of the season, a majestic 106 that made the run chase look rather more comfortable than it had any right to be, with Laurie Probert's unbeaten 28 steering us home in 33.2 overs. Spare a thought for poor Nolan Wilde, who made the long walk back for nought — the Duck Club welcomes another member. And John Karassellos will want a quiet word with himself after 9 byes went walkabout behind the stumps.

All told, a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work: six wickets in hand, a maiden century for Austin, and bragging rights secured. Onwards indeed.

Sat 01 May 2021 🧢 1st XIv BC Bidborough CC · HomeformWLDLW

We took the field at Linton Park on a cool, showery afternoon on Saturday, with Bidborough CC our visitors. The coin, as is so often its habit against me, sided with the away captain, and we were asked to bowl first. Fortunes dipped early when Dale Hillhouse departed without so much as a squeak of the bat — a golden duck to open proceedings, and not the omen I'd have chosen. But the lads rallied superbly with the ball: Alex Keeler was the pick of the attack, miserly and menacing in equal measure with 3-13 and two maidens, well supported by Tobey Castle's 3-24 and Mardey Castle's tidy 1-7. Bidborough were shot out for 121 in 31.5 overs, Dan Slade's 42 the only real resistance.

Set a target that felt eminently gettable, we made light work of it. Jordan Austin batted with real class for an unbeaten 71, cruising to a well-made fifty and looking in no mood to give it back, while Tobey Castle — having already done his bit with the ball — chipped in handsomely with 49 not out at the other end. We cantered home at 124/0 in 22.5 overs without losing a single wicket, which even by the generous standards of a club newsletter counts as thoroughly comfortable.

Jordan now leads our 2021 run charts with 99 for the season, and Tobey tops the wicket pile with 5 — a fine early-season habit of turning up in both columns. A resounding ten-wicket win, then, and precisely the tonic for a grey afternoon. Onwards.

Sun 25 Apr 2021 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Faversham CC · AwayformLWLWW

Sunday 25th April took us down to Faversham, under skies that hadn't quite decided whether to spoil the party, and after they called correctly and stuck us in, I did wonder if the toss might set the tone for the day. It didn't take long to be proved gloriously wrong.

Thomas Beeney set about the Faversham attack with real purpose, finishing unbeaten on a well-crafted 54, while Abishek Pushpavinothan matched him stroke for stroke with 51, and Nolan Wilde chipped in a brisk 35 further down. Even our extras column fancied itself as a top-order batsman, contributing a generous 48. Forty overs later we'd posted 253/6 — the sort of total that makes the tea urn taste a little sweeter.

Defending it should never be taken for granted in this game, but our bowlers made light work of it. Anthony Karassellos was the pick of the attack with 2-13, and I was pleased to get among the wickets myself, picking up 1-12 alongside Abishek's 1-12. David Harris played beautifully for Faversham with 56, well supported by Adam Jacob's 51 and Tom Verner's unbeaten 26, but with Hugo Woolley and Harry Plail both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers, the required rate simply ran away from them, and they closed on 153/5.

A hundred-run victory, then, and a thoroughly good day for the club — the kind of afternoon that makes the drive to Faversham, and indeed the entire cricketing enterprise, feel entirely worthwhile.

Sun 25 Apr 2021 🧢 Sunday NVKCv Offham CC · AwayformWWWLL

Sunday the 25th of April found us at Offham CC under skies the colour of a well-worn cricket ball, and my call in the air proved as reliable as ever — heads, tails, it hardly matters when the opposition win it and stick us in the field regardless. Early encouragement came with the very first ball still ringing in our ears, Offham 0 for 1 and looking rattled, but Tom Evans had other ideas, compiling a stubborn 59 with Daniel Blakeburn chipping in 21 as their fourth wicket pair added a stern 51. Credit to the lads for not letting heads drop: from 84 for 4 they were choked back to 96 for 7, Harry Legg shuffling off for a golden duck, and Alex Keeler (3-27) led the charge beautifully, well backed by Sam Boyns (3-29, two miserly maidens) and Mardey Castle (2-24). All out — sorry, not out, but restricted — to 125 for 9 off their forty.

With the bat, we made a mess of the very first over — 6 for 1, James Piper departing for nought — but Aaron Hughes settled things with a composed, unbeaten 55, ushered along nicely by Tobey Castle's 39 not out, and we cruised home on 129 for 2 with overs to spare.

An eight-wicket win, two points banked, and Hughes and Keeler now sitting proudly atop the season's run and wicket charts respectively. A thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work — Offham will wonder what hit them, and frankly, so do we.

Sun 18 Apr 2021 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Egerton CC, Kent · HomeformWLWLW

It was one of those Sundays where you toss the coin, call it right, and just know — cool, cloudy, Egerton CC down at Linton Park, and something in the air said "have a bat." No hesitation from this captain: 168 all out in 36.3 overs, built on a lovely opening stand of 84 before the first wicket fell, and carried home by Benjamin Austin's fine 74, with brother Jordan chipping in a handy 26. Credit where due — a proper collapse from 154-7 to 168 all out took the shine off things rather quickly, the tail folding like a deckchair in a gale, but 168 always felt a defendable total on a day like this.

And so it proved. Egerton were bowled out for a mere 73 in 31.1 overs, the innings unravelling almost as fast as our own tail had. Thomas Beeney set the tone with two wickets for nothing, Alex Wade (2-11) and Fred Taylor (1-1) chipped away, and Jordan Austin, having done his bit with the bat, bowled two maidens without conceding a run — miserly stuff. Maxwell Harper departed for a golden duck, poor lad, as the visitors slid from 52-5 to 64-8 in the blink of an eye.

Two points, comfortably banked, won by 95 runs. Benjamin Austin now tops our Sunday run charts and Alex Wade the wickets — early season form that bodes rather well. A thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work, and not a bad way to spend a cloudy Sunday at all.

Sun 18 Apr 2021 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Mersham Le Hatch CC · AwayformLDWWW

We called correctly at Mersham Le Hatch on a cool, cloudy Sunday, and with the pitch offering a hint of encouragement I had no hesitation in sending them in. Thomas Bailey's unbeaten 36, with useful support from Tom McKellow and Jeremy Godden, carried the hosts to 170 for 9 — Godden's highlight a booming six over mid-on that had us all admiring the shot even as we cursed it. Tim Thirkell led our attack beautifully with 2 for 18, Anton Bourdillon and Mardey Castle chipped in with two apiece, and Alex Keeler bowled three tidy maidens. Sadly we undid our own good work with 27 wides gifted down the leg side — runs we simply couldn't afford to hand back.

Chasing 171, Sam Boyns played the innings of the day, 35 not out of real substance, and I was glad to lend a hand with 20 of my own. But cricket has a cruel sense of humour, and from a respectable 66 for 3 we capitulated to 73 for 6, with Castle, Karassellos and Bourdillon all departing for ducks in the space of a horror 22nd over that cost us two wickets and any momentum we had left. All out for 115, we fell 55 runs short.

Not our finest Sunday, truth be told — too many easy runs given away in the field, too few resisting once the top order fell. Heads up, though: back to the nets, and back stronger next week.

Sat 17 Apr 2021 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformWWLDL

It was a proper Saturday special, this one against Headcorn, played out under skies the colour of a well-worn cricket ball. Winning the toss and batting first, the lads set about building something substantial, and build it we did — 231 for 6 from our 40 overs, with Aaron Hughes the anchor on 47, Mardey Castle chipping in with 40 and Alex Keeler weighing in with 39. The third-wicket stand of 77 was the innings' spine, and a generous 31 extras from the visitors didn't hurt our cause one bit. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon, all told.

Defending 231 is never a formality, and Headcorn made us work for every run of it, closing on 133 for 8. Peter Westrop's well-crafted fifty (51) was the innings that threatened, backed up by Jason Ovenden (32) and Kevin Richardson (27), and a third-wicket stand of 64 briefly had us worried after they'd lost an early wicket at just 4. But the bowlers held their nerve — Tobey Castle led from the front with 2 for 24, Martin Harris and Joshua Knowler chipped away with 2-35 and 1-7 respectively, and James West's two maidens strangled the scoring when it mattered most.

A word too for Aaron Hughes, who brought up 2,000 career runs for the club — a landmark worth raising a glass to, ducks for Hughes and Harley Gilks with the bat notwithstanding.

Four wickets, two points, and a result thoroughly deserved.